George Vlotides, Roland Gaertner, Matthias W.A. Angstwurm
OBJECTIVE: Modulatory effects of estrogens on both the immune and the coagulation system are only partially understood. In severe infections high estrogen levels have been observed both in men and postmenopausal women and are associated with increased mortality. Monocyte-derived tissue factor (TF) expression can activate the coagulation system and worsen the course of severe infection…