Summary
The biochemical characterisation of the proteolytic pathways that constitute blood
coagulation was one of the most relevant achievements in biomedical research during
the second half of the 20th century. Understanding these pathways was of crucial importance
for improving global health through application in haemostasis and thrombosis pathologies.
Immediately after the cloning of the genes corresponding to these proteins, mutations
were discovered in them that were associated with imbalances in haemostasis. Later,
the importance of coagulation pathways in other pathological processes was demonstrated,
such as in atherosclerosis and inflammation, both essential processes involved in
vascular disease. In the present review we evaluate the concepts that have allowed
us to reach the integrated vision on coagulation that we have today. The thrombo-inflammation
model encompassing these aspects includes a pivotal role for the proteases of the
coagulation pathway as well as the regulatory proteins thereof. These concepts illustrate
the importance of the coagulation cascade in cardiovascular pathology, not only in
thrombotic processes, but also in atherosclerotic processes and in the response to
ischaemia-reperfusion injury, making it a central mechanism in cardiovascular disease.
Keywords
Atherothrombosis - coagulation factors - coagulation inhibitors - proteases - protein
C/S pathway - thrombosis - TFPI - vitamin K-dependent factors