Evidence for an Essential Role of Tissue Factor Dependent Blood Coagulation in the Pathogenesis of the Local Shwartzman Reaction

Adherence and aggregation of leukocytes within the vessels of a prepared skin site has been shown to be essential for the pathogenesis of the local Shwartzman reaction (LSR) (Argenbright and Barton: J Clin Invest 89: 259, 1992). We have now performed experiments in rabbits to evaluate whether coagulation within the vessels of a prepared site is a second requirement for the reaction. Skin sites were prepared by an intradermal injection of endotoxin 24 hours before a provoking intravenous injection of endotoxin. Thirteen control rabbits all developed the LSR. Seven of 12 rabbits given warfarin to achieve anticoagulation approximating that used therapeutically in humans before the provoking injection were protected against the LSR (p = 0.003). Five of nine rabbits given anti-rabbit factor X IgG before the provoking injection to yield mean values in individual rabbits of between 7% and 18% plasma factor X activity were protected against the LSR (p = 0.009). Six of 11 rabbits given anti-rabbit factor VII IgG before the provoking injection to yield mean values in individual rabbits of between0.5% and 2.2% were protected against the LSR (p = 0.007). Four rabbits failed to develop the LSR at an endotoxin-prepared skin site when an infusion of tissue factor (TF) causing substantial intravascular coagulation was substituted for a provoking injection of endotoxin. It would appear that two events are required for the pathogenesis of the LSR provoked by endotoxin: formation of aggregated masses of WBC in the prepared skin vessels and deposition of fibrin due to TF-initiated coagulation.