Cell biology of tissue factor, the principal initiator of blood coagulation
The role of tissue factor (TF, thromboplastin) as the major player in initiation of the blood
coagulation process has been known for more than 100 years (1, 2). Its importance for
development of clinical thrombosis, be it venous or arterial, and the complexity of the cell
biology of TF, has, however, been increasingly appreciated over the past 15-20 years. This
realization arises mainly from the findings; a) that TF can be expressed also in cells
pertaining to the vasculature (3, 4), b) that TF can activate components of the intrinsic …
coagulation process has been known for more than 100 years (1, 2). Its importance for
development of clinical thrombosis, be it venous or arterial, and the complexity of the cell
biology of TF, has, however, been increasingly appreciated over the past 15-20 years. This
realization arises mainly from the findings; a) that TF can be expressed also in cells
pertaining to the vasculature (3, 4), b) that TF can activate components of the intrinsic …