Pro-coagulant extracellular vesicles mediate smoking-induced pulmo-vascular inflammation

Background Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a leading cause of death worldwide, with smoking as major risk factor. Tobacco smoke increases the risk of thrombosis, resulting in dysregulation of tissue factor (TF)-mediated extrinsic coagulation that further impacts downstream intracellular signaling via protease activated receptors (PARs). Here, we investigated the impact of bronchial epithelial cell (BEC)-derived TF+-extracellular vesicles (EVs) on human lung endothelial cell (EC) activation as mediators of pulmo-vascular inflammation.