Figure 2. Pathogenesis of Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation in Sepsis.
Through the generation of proinflammatory cytokines and the activation of monocytes, bacteria cause the up-regulation of tissue factor
as well as the release of microparticles expressing tissue factor, thus leading to the activation of coagulation. Proinflammatory cytokines
also cause the activation of endothelial cells, a process that impairs anticoagulant mechanisms and down-regulates fibrinolysis by generating
increased amounts of plasminogen activator inhibitor.