Title:The Role of Tissue Factor In Signaling Pathways of Pathological
Conditions and Angiogenesis
Volume: 24
Issue: 9
Author(s): Zahra Heidari, Yasaman Naeimzadeh, Jafar Fallahi, Amir Savardashtaki, Vahid Razban*Sahar Khajeh*
Affiliation:
- Department of Molecular Medicine, School of Advanced Medical Sciences and Technologies, Shiraz
University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
- Bone and Joint Diseases Research Center,
Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
Keywords:
Tissue factor, pathological conditions, asthma, cardiovascular diseases, viral infection, cancer, angiogenesis.
Abstract: Tissue factor (TF) is an integral transmembrane protein associated with the
extrinsic coagulation pathway. TF gene expression is regulated in response to
inflammatory cytokines, bacterial lipopolysaccharides, and mechanical injuries. TF
activity may be affected by phosphorylation of its cytoplasmic domain and alternative
splicing. TF acts as the primary initiator of physiological hemostasis, which prevents
local bleeding at the injury site. However, aberrant expression of TF, accompanied by
the severity of diseases and infections under various pathological conditions, triggers
multiple signaling pathways that support thrombosis, angiogenesis, inflammation, and
metastasis. Protease-activated receptors (PARs) are central in the downstream
signaling pathways of TF. In this study, we have reviewed the TF signaling pathways in
different pathological conditions, such as wound injury, asthma, cardiovascular
diseases (CVDs), viral infections, cancer and pathological angiogenesis. Angiogenic
activities of TF are critical in the repair of wound injuries and aggressive behavior of
tumors, which are mainly performed by the actions of vascular endothelial growth
factor (VEGF) and hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF1-α). Pro-inflammatory effects of TF
have been reported in asthma, CVDs and viral infections, including COVID-19, which
result in tissue hypertrophy, inflammation, and thrombosis. TF-FVII induces
angiogenesis via clotting-dependent and -independent mechanisms. Clottingdependent
angiogenesis is induced via the generation of thrombin and cross-linked
fibrin network, which facilitate vessel infiltration and also act as a reservoir for
endothelial cells (ECs) growth factors. Expression of TF in tumor cells and ECs
triggers clotting-independent angiogenesis through induction of VEGF, urokinase-type
plasminogen activator (uPAR), early growth response 1 (EGR1), IL8, and cysteine-rich
angiogenic inducer 61 (Cyr61).