Tissue factor pathway inhibitor as a multifunctional mediator of vascular structure.

Tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI) is a potent regulator of tissue factor - factor VII-dependent activation of the tissue factor pathway. TFPI is a serine protease inhibitor that contains three Kunitz domains and a basic carboxyl terminus. TFPI is primarily expressed on endothelial cells, and murine models have demonstrated that its expression regulates vascular thrombosis. The localization of TFPI expression and the requirement for TFPI in development suggest a potential role in regulating vascular structure. Data from animal studies suggest that vascular expression of TFPI inhibits pathologic vascular remodeling and inhibits angiogenesis. The mechanism for these effects is diverse and includes tissue factor and factor Xa-dependent and -independent mechanisms.