PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Bashir A. Lwaleed
TI  - Tissue factor. Biological function and clinical significance
DP  - 2002 Feb 01
TA  - Saudi Medical Journal
PG  - 135--143
VI  - 23
IP  - 2
4099  - http://smj.org.sa/content/23/2/135.short
4100  - http://smj.org.sa/content/23/2/135.full
SO  - Saudi Med J2002 Feb 01; 23
AB  - Tissue Factor is the principal cellular initiator of normal blood coagulation. It is frequently encrypted in the plasma membrane of cells in contact with blood, but under certain pathological conditions endothelial cells, monocytes or macrophages may express tissue factor; and hence trigger coagulation activation. Aberrant expression of tissue factor by these cells is thought to be responsible for the thrombophilia found in septic shock, atherosclerosis and cancer. Tissue factor is produced by tumor-associated macrophages where it is believed to play an important role in tumor growth and dissemination. It may also be involved in other cellular processes such as intracellular signalling, angiogenesis and embryonic blood-vessel development. Tissue factor can be found both as free (soluble tissue factor) and membrane bound forms. Several studies have shown that measurements of any of these forms may provide clinically significant information, particularly in patients with malignant and inflammatory diseases, and are cost-effective.