Our February 2025 QQ was a quiz that asked, “What factor deficiency is associated with poor wound healing?” The question attracted 60 participants who answered…
- FII: 4 (7%)
- FV: 5 (8%)
- FVIII: 9 (15%)
- FIX: 3 (4%)
- FXIII: 39 (65%)
The large majority is correct. Here is the abstract from Luyendyk JP, Flick MJ, Wolberg AS. Factor XIII: driving (cross-) links in hemostasis, thrombosis, and Disease. Blood. 2025. doi: 10.1182/blood.2024025321. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 39869827, available from your medical library:
Blood clots are complex structures composed of blood cells and proteins held together by the structural framework provided by an insoluble fibrin network. Factor (F)XIII is a protransglutaminase essential for stabilizing the fibrin network. Activated FXIII(a) introduces novel covalent crosslinks within and between fibrin and other plasma and cellular proteins, and thereby promotes fibrin biochemical and mechanical integrity. These irreversible modifications are also major determinants of clot composition and functional properties. As such, FXIII has central roles in hemostasis and wound healing, thrombosis, and many proinflammatory diseases associated with coagulation activation. FXIII’s biochemical properties are as interesting as its biology is unusual, giving rise to unique and still undefined mechanisms. Here we review features underlying FXIII biology, biochemical function, biophysical impact, and (patho) physiologic implications in hemostasis, thrombosis, and disease.
Though no definitive literature exists associating other factor deficiencies with poor wound healing, we can’t rule out secondary interactions among the factors with inflammatory conditions affecting wounds. If you’ve seen any evidence, please post it below in the Comments section.
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