CELL-CELL INTERACTION AND TISSUE FACTOR EXPRESSION

Following tissue injury, blood components come into contact with the s ubendothelial tissue, a thrombogenic surface. Tissue factor, found in the media and adventitia of the vascular wall, or available on the mem brane of activated monocytes and endothelial cells, triggers blood coa gulation. A complex interaction between soluble molecules and cells th en takes place, a fibrin mesh is formed, and the resulting clot limits or stops the loss of blood. Platelets, monocytes, and endothelial cel ls co-localize and interact in the area of vascular injury This close relationship, which is regulated by an array of cell-cell adhesion mol ecules, favours the modulation of the biochemical pathways of these ce lls. The aim of this review is to summarize the contribution of these cells and their interactions in tissue factor expression and its possi ble relevance in the pathogenesis of vascular diseases. Blood Coag Fib rinol 9 (suppl 1):S49-S59 (C) 1998 Lippincott-Raven Publishers