Objective: To explore the effects and mechanism of thrombin on the expression of tissue factor (TF) activity in cultured bovine aortic endothelial cells(BAECs).
Methods: BAECs were cultured according to Schwartz's method, and one stage clotting time assay was used to measure TF activity.
Results: 1. Thrombin enhanced the expression of TF activity in cultured BAECs. 2. A23187, a calcium ionophore, induced slightly the expression of TF activity, but markedly promoted the thrombin-induced TF activity in BAECs(P < 0.05). 3. TFP, a Ca2+/CaM inhibitor, inhibited the inductive effects of thrombin. 4. Pentoxifylline, a phosphodiesterase inhibitor, inhibited thrombin-induced TF activity in BAECs.
Conclusion: Thrombin can induce the expression of TF activity in cultured BAECs, and the processes of signal transduction may be associated with Ca2+/CaM-dependent pathway and cAMP.