Tissue factor as an evolutionary conserved cytokine receptor: Implications for inflammation and signal transduction

Tissue factor (TF) is a transmembrane protein that, in complex with factor VIIa (FVIIa), initiates coagulation. It also influences various other physiological and pathological events, such as inflammation, and negatively influences survival during sepsis. TF resembles a conserved class of pro-inflammatory cytokine receptors and activates a set of pro-inflammatory intracellular signal transduction routes. Interestingly, whereas the homology of TF to the class II cytokine receptors is reflected in a similar type of signal transduction, the mechanism by which the signal is transduced across the membrane differs greatly. This review discusses the role of TF and its ligand FVIIa in inflammation, sepsis, and signal transduction, and describes the way in which these processes interact.