Tissue factor pathway inhibitor blocks cellular effects of endotoxin by binding to endotoxin and interfering with transfer to CD14.

Tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI) is a Kunitz-type plasma protease inhibitor that inhibits factor Xa and the factor VIIa/tissue factor catalytic complex. It plays an important role in feedback inhibition of the coagulation cascade (Broze, Annu Rev Med 46:103, 1995). TFPI has also been used successfully to prevent lethality and attenuate coagulopathic responses in a baboon model of septic shock (Creasey et al, J Clin Invest 91:2850, 1993; and Carr et al, Circ Shock 44:126, 1995). However, the mechanism of reduced mortality in these animals could not be explained merely by the anticoagulant effect of TFPI, because TFPI-treated animals also had a significantly depressed interleukin-6 response. Moreover, inhibition of coagulopathic responses by other anticoagulants has failed to block the organ damage or lethal effect of endotoxic shock (Coalson et al, Circ Shock 5:423, 1978; Warr et al, Blood 75:1481, 1990; and Taylor et al, Blood 78:364, 1991). We show here that recombinant TFPI can bind to endotoxin in vitro. This binding prevents interaction of endotoxin with both lipopolysaccharide binding protein and CD14, thereby blocking cellular responses.