[Tissue factor expression in human umbilical vien endothelial cells stimulated by TNF-alpha and its molecular...

The objective of this study was to explore tissue factor (TF) expression induced by TNF-alpha in cultured human umbilical vien endothelial cells (HUVEC) and its molecular mechanism. TF expression on the surface of HUVEC, TF mRNA and nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB) in HUVEC were detected by flow cytometry, RT-PCR and Western blot respectively. The results showed that TNF-alpha could enhance TF expression on the surface of HUVEC, the TF expression increase was highly consistent with the increased synthesis of TF mRNA, and the increase of TF expression was lately appeared for several hours. It was also found activation of NF kappaB at the time TF mRNA increase. In conclusion, NF-kappaB could be activated promptly after HUVEC incubated with TNF-alpha, then it was bound to TF promotor to start the TF transcription, TF mRNA expression was upregulated, that leaded to the increase of TF expression on the HUVEC surface and activated the coagulation cascade.