Tissue factor activity and function in blood coagulation

Tissue factor (TF) is the major physiological initiator of blood coagulation. It exists as an integral membrane protein that upon injury to the blood vessel becomes exposed to the blood stream and initiates a series of enzymatic reactions that cause blood to clot. TF is also found within circulating blood cells, requiring specific signaling events to promote its expression. In this review we will discuss current controversies concerning the structure–activity relationships of TF and contributions of TF to the hemostatic process, the potential roles of intravascular TF, including non-cell-bound TF and cell-expressed TF and the overall relationship between TF function and hemorrhage control.