Activation of factor X and its regulation by tissue factor pathway inhibitor in small-diameter capillaries lined with human endothelial cells

The activation of factor X at the surface of endothelial cells was investigated under controlled flow conditions. A method is described for preparing polyethylene capillaries whose inner walls are covered with a confluent layer of human umbilical vein endothelial cells. To obtain a stable and unperturbed layer of endothelial cells it was essential to pre-perfuse the endothelialized capillaries with medium for about 18 hours. At this stage no tissue factor activity could be detected, but when the seeded cells were perfused with medium containing tumor necrosis factor (TNF) a maximum steady-state rate of factor Xa production (16 fmol factor Xa/min/cm2) was observed within 8 hours. Further experiments were performed with endothelial cells incubated for 4 hours with TNF. Factor Xa was produced at a rate of 7 fmol factor Xa/min/cm2 on perfusion of the capillaries with factor X (100 nmol/L) and factor VII (0.1 U/mL) at a shear rate of 34 s-1. The extracellular matrix preparations of these cells produced factor Xa at a 20-fold higher rate (150 fmol factor Xa/min/cm2). In both cases factor Xa formation was dependent on the presence of factor VII and was completely inhibited when the perfusate also contained 5 nmol/L recombinant tissue factor pathway inhibitor (rTFPI). Pre-perfusion with factor Xa-TFPI complex in the absence of factor VIIa caused a much lesser inhibitory effect, suggesting that TFPI-mediated neutralization of endothelial cell and matrix tissue factor activity requires the presence of factor VIIa in addition to the presence of factor Xa.