[Tissue factor pathway inhibitors]

Activation of the extrinsic pathway of blood coagulation plays the key role in the process of blood coagulation. The hemostasis is influenced by the activity of procoagulant factors and its inhibitors. In this work we summarize existing data on tissue factor pathway inhibitors: TFPI and TFPI-2. Despite structural similarity between them, they exhibit many differences in synthesis, distribution and mechanism of action. TFPI inhibits the activity of factor Xa and the complex of tissue factor and factor VIIa (TF/VIIa). Conversely, TFPI-2 does not inhibits factor Xa, but it is a strong inhibitor of factor XIa, plasma kallikrein, plasmin and trypsin.