Cell biology of tissue factor, an unusual member of the cytokine receptor family

Tissue factor (TF) is a 47-kDa transmembrane protein, involved in the onset of coagulation. However it also influences pathophysiological processes su ch as inflammation and tumor angiogenesis. Although the molecular mechanism s responsible for these phenomena remain unclear; it is thought that they a re brought about by the action of intracellular signaling, resulting in gen e transcription and subsequent protein synthesis. In this review we focus o n FVIIa/TF-induced intracellular signaling and its possible role in physiol ogy. (C) 2001, Elsevier Science Inc.