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Updated: Jun 1, 2026

Extracellular Vesicle Tissue Factor Activity Assay
Published on: December 29, 2023
Tissue factor is involved in retinoblastoma cell proliferation via both the Akt and extracellular signal-regulated
Byung Joo Lee1, Jeong Hun Kim, Seung Hoon Woo
1Fight against Angiogenesis-Related Blindness (FARB) Laboratory, Clinical Research Institute, Seoul National University Hospital, and Department of Ophthalmology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Abstract:
Tissue factor (TF) is known to play a role in tumor progression. In retinoblastoma, the expression and role of TF has not been determined yet. Herein, we demonstrated for the first time that TF is closely related to the proliferation of retinoblastoma cells, which could be therefore effectively suppressed by blockade of the TF pathway. TF was selectively expressed on the areas of highly mitogenic activity in an orthotopic transplantation mouse model of retinoblastoma. In addition, the levels of TF expression in retinoblastoma cells were elevated after FGF2 treatment, whereas the proliferative effect of FGF2 on retinoblastoma cells was significantly inhibited by blockade of the TF pathway via TF pathway inhibitor (TFPI). Interestingly, retinoblastoma cells cultured with FGF2 showed increased phosphorylation of both Akt and ERK1/2. Addition of TFPI nearly abolished the FGF2-induced phosphorylation of Akt and ERK1/2 in retinoblastoma cells. Therefore, our data suggest that TF expression in retinoblastoma cells is closely related to tumor cell proliferation and TFPI has the potential to inhibit retinoblastoma cell proliferation via the inhibition of both Akt and ERK1/2 activation.
Insights
Tissue factor (TF) drives retinoblastoma cell proliferation. Blocking the TF pathway with TF pathway inhibitor (TFPI) suppressed tumor growth and key signaling pathways, offering a potential therapeutic strategy.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Ophthalmology
Background:
- Tissue factor (TF) is implicated in tumor progression.
- The role and expression of TF in retinoblastoma remain uncharacterized.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the expression and function of TF in retinoblastoma.
- To determine if TF pathway blockade can inhibit retinoblastoma cell proliferation.
Main Methods:
- TF expression analysis in an orthotopic retinoblastoma mouse model.
- Assessment of TF pathway inhibitor (TFPI) effects on FGF2-stimulated retinoblastoma cells.
- Evaluation of Akt and ERK1/2 phosphorylation levels.
Main Results:
- TF is selectively expressed in highly proliferative areas of retinoblastoma tumors.
- FGF2 treatment increased TF expression and retinoblastoma cell proliferation.
- TFPI significantly inhibited FGF2-induced proliferation and phosphorylation of Akt and ERK1/2.
Conclusions:
- TF expression is closely linked to retinoblastoma cell proliferation.
- TFPI demonstrates potential as a therapeutic agent by inhibiting retinoblastoma growth via Akt and ERK1/2 pathways.
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