Identification of an endothelial cell product as an inhibitor of tissue factor activity.

An endothelial cell glycoprotein that inhibits the initiation of the coagulation process promoted by tissue factor has been isolated by heparin-sepharose, hydroxyapatite and gel filtration chromatography. As is the case for several other species synthesized by this cell type, the N-linked carbohydrate moiety is sulfated. The identification of this inhibitor hints at the possible existence of a functional balance, between the activator of the coagulation cascade and its inhibitor, which may become perturbed in various pathophysiological conditions.