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Figure 8 A schematic representation showing the relationship between vß3 and tissue factor (TF). vß3 is expressed on many cells including platelets, lymphocytes, smooth muscle cells, vascular endothelial cells, and macrophages. vß3 has been shown to co-stimulate the release of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-) in macrophages. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha in turn induces tissue factor expression. Tissue factor expression is also induced by interleukin-1 (IL-1) and oxidized low density lipoprotein (LDL). Tissue factor binds factor VIIa to form a complex that converts factor X to its active form, Xa, which in turn accelerates the conversion of prothrombin to thrombin. Prothrombin serves as a ligand to vß3 and its binding to vß3 also accelerates the conversion of prothrombin to thrombin.