Technical Articles

Tissue factor (TF), also known as coagulation factor III, is a transmembrane glycoprotein that plays a crucial role in initiating blood clotting processes. Unlike other coagulation factors, TF is not normally present in the blood, but is expressed on the surface of various extracellular cells, including fibroblasts, pericytes, and epithelial cells. It is also expressed on certain immune cells and endothelial cells during injury or inflammation.

In the precise regulatory network of coagulation and anticoagulation in the body, tissue factor (TF), as the initiating factor of the exogenous coagulation pathway, is the key to maintaining hemostatic balance and triggering pathological thrombosis. Its unique expression pattern, interaction with coagulation factors, and strict regulatory mechanism make it a core target for understanding thrombosis and developing targeted therapies.