The contact system is a protease cascade that is initiated by factor XII activation on cardiovascular cells. The system starts procoagulant and proinflammatory reactions, via the intrinsic pathway of coagulation and the kallikrein-kinin system, respectively. The biochemistry of the contact system in vitro is well understood. However, activators of the system in vivo and their contributions to disease states have remained enigmatic. Recent experimental and clinical data have identified misfolded proteins, collagens, and polyphosphates as the long-sought activators of the contact system in vivo. Here we present an overview about contact system activators and their contributions to health and pathology.
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