Linking Pathologies: Cyclophilins in Inflammation and Thrombosis

Apart from their intracellular function as chaperones in protein folding, cyclophilins have been found to play important roles in the pathogenesis of thrombosis as well as inflammation. With liberation of cyclophilin A (CyPA) into the extracellular space (eCyPA), it acts as a danger-associated molecular pattern. Following interaction with its primary extracellular receptor CD147, eCyPA facilitates platelet activation with subsequent adhesion to the endothelium, degranulation as well as shape change. Furthermore, the eCyPA–CD147 interaction induces leucocyte adhesion and has strong chemotactic effects on leucocytes. In this chapter, we review the effects of cyclophilins in the context of thrombo-inflammation and give insight into current pharmacological strategies targeting cyclophilins.