Blood coagulation is essential for stopping bleeding but also drives thromboembolic disorders. Factor XII (FXII)-triggered coagulation promotes thrombosis while being dispensable for hemostasis, making it a potential anticoagulant target. However, its physiological role remains unclear. Here, we demonstrate that FXII-driven coagulation enhances innate immunity by trapping pathogens and restricting bacterial infection in mice. Streptococcus pneumoniae infection was more severe in FXII-deficient (F12-/-) mice, with increased pulmonary bacterial burden, systemic spread, and mortality. Similarly, Staphylococcus aureus skin infections and systemic dissemination were exacerbated in F12-/- mice. Reconstitution with human FXII restored bacterial containment. Plasma kallikrein amplifies FXII activation, and its deficiency aggravated S. aureus skin infections, similarly to F12-/- mice. FXII deficiency impaired fibrin deposition in abscess walls, leading to leaky capsules and bacterial escape. Bacterial long-chain polyphosphate activated FXII, triggering fibrin formation. Deficiency in FXII substrate factor XI or FXII/factor XI co-deficiency similarly exacerbated S. aureus infection. The data reveal a protective role for FXII-driven coagulation in host defense, urging caution in developing therapeutic strategies targeting this pathway.
© 2025 Nickel et al.
