Characterization of a tissue factor/factor VIIa‐dependent model of thrombosis in hypercholesterolemic rabbits

Tissue factor (TF) expressed in arterial atherosclerotic plaque plays a key role in activating the extrinsic coagulation pathway and triggering acute coronary syndromes. In this study, we developed and characterized a TF–factor (F)VIIa‐mediated thrombosis model in rabbits. Balloon catheter‐induced endothelial denudation in the femoral artery and a 4‐week high cholesterol diet produced a localized atherosclerotic plaque at the injured site. High levels of TF mRNA and TF protein antigen (152 ± 25 vs. 49 ± 12 pg mg−1 protein in normal vessels) were detected in these atherosclerotic plaques. Plasma FVII coagulant activity (FVII:C) was significantly increased in the hypercholesterolemic rabbits (36 ± 1 s) compared with the normal rabbits (44 ± 1 s, P