Tissue factor expression in endothelial cells in health and disease

Plasma tissue factor (TF) antigen can be detected in healthy volunteers and may be significantly increased in patients with disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). Plasma TF antigen level in patients with DIC was significantly reduced after therapy. The TF activity of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) cultured with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), cytokines and the medium of cultured mononuclear cells (MNC) was significantly increased. TF expression was induced in HUVEC and MNC by incubation with lipoproteins, suggesting that hyperlipidaemia is a direct risk factor in thrombotic disease. TF activity in HUVEC was significantly increased in the presence of plasma and this activation was higher in patients with thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) and DIC. Enhanced TF production by endothelial cells may be important in the pathogenesis of thrombotic diseases.