Localization of Tissue Thromboplastin in the Human Brain

Abstract

SummaryMonospecific antisera against the purified protein component of tissue thromboplastin (apoprotein-III) from human brain have been raised in goats and rabbits. The antisera neutralized tissue thromboplastin prepared from brain, thyroid gland and pulmonary tissue, indicating that apoproteins in the various preparations cross-reacted immunologically and therefore were similar or identical.Comparison of the activities of tissue thromboplastin preparations from 34 different areas of the brain demonstrated a characteristic distribution pattern and a wide range of activities. White and grey matter from the same areas had similar activities. Bulbus and tractus olfac-torius, medulla oblongata, corpus pineale, hippocampus and hypothalamus contained 160–270 % of the average activity, whereas cerebellum, globus pallidus, nucleus ruber and substantia nigra contained 30–60 %. The distinct distribution pattern was unrelated to tissue vascularization, and may suggest that apoprotein-III could serve other functions, apart from the coagulation of blood. The predominance in phylogenetically older brain regions would suggest that it represents a primitive or fundamental feature.

Coagulopathy predicts poor outcome in traumatic brain injury

“…Brain tissue is rich in thromboplastin, and activation of clotting pathways following TBI is thought to occur leading to abnormal coagulation. This may result in disseminated intravascular coagulation, cerebral microthrombi and ischaemia, or exacerbation of intracranial haemorrhage [4,5]. We have studied the admission International Normalised Ratio (INR) in moderate to severe TBI patients, examining its role as a prognostic indicator in these patients.…”

Tissue Factor Gene Localized to Human Chromosome 1 (1pter→1p21)

“…The evidence that tissue factor preparations from various tissues have similar functions, molecular weights, and immunological properties (1,2,(25)(26)(27)(28) is not sufficient to conclude that only one tissue factor protein is common to all cells that express tissue factor activity. Because of the limited variety of human parental cell types used to construct the somatic cell hybrids in this study (17) as well as potential perturbations in gene expression resulting from hybridization, we are not able to eliminate the possible existence of tissue factor loci on other chromosomes.…”

The Coagulation System as a Target for the Treatment of Human Gliomas

“…Normal brain tissue is a rich source of TF. 4 Not surprisingly, therefore, VTE is common after head trauma, a time when TF may be released into the systemic circulation. The development of an intracranial neoplasm is also a brain-traumatizing process and results in the disruption of normal brain architecture and vascular structures.…”