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Updated: Jul 22, 2026
03:53
Extracellular Vesicle Tissue Factor Activity Assay
Published on: December 29, 2023
Tissue factor in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis
M B Taubman1, J T Fallon, A D Schecter
1Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA. m_taubman@smtplink.mssm.edu
Thrombosis and Haemostasis
|July 1, 1997
Summary
Tissue factor (TF) drives thrombosis in atherosclerosis by initiating coagulation. Inhibiting TF offers a promising therapeutic strategy for preventing thrombotic complications in cardiovascular disease.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Biology
- Hemostasis and Thrombosis
- Vascular Biology
Background:
- Tissue Factor (TF) is abundant in atherosclerotic plaques, particularly in lipid-rich areas.
- TF is induced in the arterial wall by injury and accumulates in neointima, with macrophages and smooth muscle cells (SMCs) as key sources.
- TF accumulation is an early event in atherosclerosis, linked to monocyte migration and differentiation into macrophages.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of Tissue Factor (TF) in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and its thrombotic complications.
- To identify the cellular sources and mechanisms of TF accumulation in atherosclerotic plaques and injured arteries.
- To explore TF as a therapeutic target for inhibiting thrombosis in atherosclerosis.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of TF antigen and activity in human atherosclerotic plaques.
- Induction of TF in arterial walls following balloon injury.
- Identification of cellular sources of TF, including macrophages and SMCs.
- Investigation of TF exposure during plaque rupture and interventions.
Main Results:
- TF is abundant in atherosclerotic plaques, especially in necrotic cores, and is induced by arterial injury.
- Macrophages and activated SMCs are major sources of TF in developing plaques.
- Exposure of TF to circulating blood during plaque rupture or interventions triggers thrombosis.
- Endothelial denudation can expose intimal TF, leading to rapid fibrin deposition.
Conclusions:
- TF plays a critical role in initiating coagulation and thrombosis in atherosclerosis.
- Targeting TF presents a potential therapeutic strategy for managing thrombotic complications of cardiovascular disease.
- TF pathway inhibitors (TFPI) and direct Factor Xa inhibitors are under investigation for anticoagulant therapy.
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