Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 6, 2025
Author Spotlight: High-Sensitivity Tissue Factor Activity Assay for Plasma Diagnosis
Published on: December 29, 2023
Microvesicle Tissue Factor Procoagulant Activity Is Elevated and Correlated With Disease Severity in Patients With
Adonis A Protopapas1,2, Anna Takardaki3, Nefeli Protopapa1
1First Propaedeutic Department of Internal Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, AHEPA University Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece.
Background And Aims:
Tissue factor-expressing microvesicles (MV-TF) have been found to correlate with thrombotic complications in various diseases. Simultaneously, there is expanding research regarding the effect of the coagulation cascade on liver fibrosis progression. The aim of our manuscript was to evaluate MV-TF activity in patients with cirrhosis and its correlation with disease severity.
Methods:
We prospectively enrolled 82 patients [11 with cirrhosis and hepatocellular cancer (Group 1), 50 with cirrhosis (Group 2) and 21 controls (Group 3)]. Extensive workup for disease staging and exclusion criteria was undertaken. Exclusion criteria included thrombophilia, history of thrombosis, recent hospitalisation, ongoing infection, alcohol dependence, cancer, haematological diseases and use of anticoagulant, antiplatelet or contraceptive drugs. Plasma tissue factor antigen concentration and MV-TF activity were assessed.
Results:
MV-TF showed median values of 4.03 [1.57], 3.17 [1.59] and 2.26 [1.23] pg/mL in Groups 1, 2 and 3, respectively. There was a statistically significant difference between Groups 1 and 3 (p < 0.001) and Groups 2 and 3 (p = 0.003), while Group 1 had higher values than Group 2 without statistical significance (p = 0.088). In Group 2, the patients' Child-Pugh (CP) stage was A in 56%, B in 26% and C in 18% of cases. MV-TF activity significantly correlated with decompensated cirrhosis (p = 0.005) and higher CP stage (p = 0.011). Finally, MV-TF activity significantly correlated with 12-month mortality (p = 0.021).
Conclusions:
MV-TF activity is elevated in patients with cirrhosis, showing a significant correlation with disease severity. MV-TF may play a role in the procoagulant imbalance of liver cirrhosis and their contribution in disease progression should be studied further.
Insights
Tissue factor-expressing microvesicles (MV-TF) are elevated in cirrhosis patients, correlating with disease severity and mortality. Further research is needed to understand MV-TF
Area of Science:
- Hepatology and Thrombosis Research
- Biomarkers in Liver Disease
Background:
- Tissue factor-expressing microvesicles (MV-TF) are implicated in thrombotic complications.
- The coagulation cascade influences liver fibrosis progression.
- The role of MV-TF in cirrhosis requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate microvesicle tissue factor (MV-TF) activity in patients with cirrhosis.
- To assess the correlation between MV-TF activity and cirrhosis severity.
Main Methods:
- Prospective enrollment of 82 patients: 11 with cirrhosis and cancer, 50 with cirrhosis, and 21 controls.
- Exclusion of patients with thrombophilia, history of thrombosis, recent hospitalization, infection, alcohol dependence, cancer, hematological diseases, or anticoagulant/antiplatelet/contraceptive use.
- Measurement of plasma tissue factor antigen concentration and MV-TF activity.
Main Results:
- MV-TF activity was significantly higher in cirrhosis patients (Groups 1 and 2) compared to controls (Group 3).
- MV-TF activity correlated significantly with decompensated cirrhosis and higher Child-Pugh stage.
- Elevated MV-TF activity was associated with increased 12-month mortality.
Conclusions:
- MV-TF activity is elevated in cirrhosis patients and correlates with disease severity.
- MV-TF may contribute to the procoagulant imbalance observed in liver cirrhosis.
- Further studies are warranted to elucidate the role of MV-TF in cirrhosis progression.
