Understanding Kininogen's Role in Blood Coagulation and Inflammation

Kininogen is a protein that functions as a cofactor for the activation of blood coagulation factor X (FX). It is produced in the liver and circulates in the bloodstream, where it can bind to FX and enhance its activity. When activated, FX cleaves prothrombin to form thrombin, which is a key enzyme in the coagulation cascade. Kininogen is also known as prekallikrein or contact factor.

Kininogen plays an important role in the regulation of blood coagulation and inflammation. It is produced in response to tissue damage or infection, and its levels can be elevated in certain diseases such as sepsis or cancer. In addition to its role in coagulation, kininogen has been shown to have anti-inflammatory and anticancer activities.

Overall, kininogen is a key component of the blood coagulation cascade and plays a critical role in regulating the formation of blood clots and inflammation.