[The role of tissue factor and its inhibitor in hemostasis].

TF (tissue factor) is a physiological inhibitor of blood coagulation in normal hemostasis and is a major initiator of clotting in thrombotic disease. TF functions as a protein cofactor for FVIIa. Coagulation at a site of injury is initiated by exposure of blood to cell-surface formation of TF/VIIa complex. The TF/VIIa complex then activates both factors IX and X leading to thrombin generation and fibrin formation. TFPI (tissue factor pathway inhibitor) appears to play a primary role in regulating TF-induced coagulation. Abnormal coagulation may contribute to the pathogenesis of many serious illnesses. In particular, induced expression of TF and TF-mediated coagulation occurs in atherosclerotic plaques, sepsis, malignancy, ARDS and glomerulonephritis. Several observations support the need for exogenous TFPI administration to effectively turn off the TF/VIIa complex in several clinical conditions with TF-induced coagulopathy. There are some reports about successful administration of rTFPI for antithrombotic therapy in humans.