Complement factor D is linked to platelet activation in human and rodent sepsis

BACKGROUND: The complement factor D (CFD) exerts a regulatory role during infection. However, its physiological function in coagulopathy and its impact on the course of an infection remains unclear. MATERIALS: Wild-type and CFD-deficient mice (n = 91) were subjected to cecal ligation and puncture to induce sepsis. At several time points, markers of coagulation and the host-immune response were determined. Furthermore, in patients (n = 79) with sepsis or SIRS, CFD levels were related to clinical characteristics, use of antiplatelet drugs and outcome. RESULTS: Septic CFD-deficient mice displayed higher TAT complexes (p = 0.02), impaired maximal clot firmness, but no relevant platelet drop and reduced GPIIb/IIIa surface expression on platelets (p = 0.03) compared to septic wild-type mice. In humans, higher CFD levels (non-survivors, 5.0 µg/ml to survivors, 3.6 µg/ml; p = 0.015) were associated with organ failure (SOFA score: r = 0.33; p = 0.003) and mortality (75% percentile, 61.1% to 25% percentile, 26.3%). CFD level was lower in patients with antiplatelet drugs (4.5–5.3 µg/ml) than in patients without. CONCLUSION: In mice, CFD is linked to pronounced platelet activation, depicted by higher GPIIb/IIIa surface expression in wild-type mice. This might be of clinical importance since high CFD plasma concentrations were also associated with increased mortality in sepsis patients. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s40635-021-00405-8.