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Purpose of Review: In humans, tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI) exists in two alternatively spliced isoforms, TFPIα and TFPIβ. TFPIα consists of three Kunitz domains (K1, K2 and K3) and a highly basic C-terminal tail. K1 inhibits the tissue factor-activated factor VII complex, K2 specifically inhibits activated factor X, K3 is essential for interaction with its cofactor, protein S, and the basic C-terminus is binds factor V-short (FV-short) with high affinity. TFPIβ consists of K1 and K2 that is glycosylphosphatidylinositol anchored directly to cell surfaces. This review explores the structure/function of TFPI and its cofactors (protein S and FV-short), and the relative contributions that different TFPI isoforms may play in haemostatic control., Recent Findings: Recent data have underscored the importance of TFPIα function and its reliance on its cofactors, protein S and FV-short, in influencing haemostatic control as well as bleeding and thrombotic risk., Summary: TFPIα is likely the most important pool of TFPI in modifying the risk of thrombosis and bleeding. TFPIα forms a trimolecular complex with FV-short and protein S in plasma. FV-short expression levels control the circulating levels of TFPIα, whereas protein S exerts essential cofactor mediated augmentation of it anticoagulant function., (Copyright © 2024 The Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.)

Background: Patients with immune-mediated thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (iTTP) have anti-ADAMTS-13 immunoglobulin G (IgG) autoantibodies that enhance ADAMTS-13 clearance and/or inhibit its function. ADAMTS-13 normally circulates in a closed conformation, which is manifested by the interaction of the CUB domains with the central spacer domain. Disruption of the spacer-CUB interaction opens ADAMTS-13, which augments its proteolytic function but may also expose cryptic autoimmune epitopes that promote further autoantibody recognition., Objectives: To explore differences in autoantibody binding to ADAMTS-13 in its closed or open conformations in patients with iTTP and to correlate these differences with disease-related parameters., Methods: We developed a novel assay to measure autoantibodies binding to closed and open ADAMTS-13. Autoantibody titer and IgG subclass binding to open or closed ADAMTS-13 were measured in 70 iTTP first presentation samples and correlated with clinical data, remission, and relapse., Results: In 70 patients with iTTP, the mean autoantibody titer against open ADAMTS-13 was, on average, approximately 2-fold greater than that against closed ADAMTS-13, suggesting that ADAMTS-13 opening increases epitope exposure and immune complex formation. Autoantibody titer against closed/open ADAMTS-13 and IgG subclass did not correlate with ADAMTS-13 antigen at presentation. Two patients with iTTP and persistent autoantibodies lost specificity for closed ADAMTS-13 in remission. Recognition of closed/open ADAMTS-13 and autoantibody IgG subclass between the first and second iTTP episodes were very similar., Conclusion: ADAMTS-13 autoantibody binding is highly influenced by ADAMTS-13 conformation. Although this does not appear to modify the pathogenicity of autoantibodies, the autoantibody signature at relapse suggests that relapse represents re-emergence of the original autoimmune response rather than de novo presentation., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interests There are no competing interests to disclose., (Copyright © 2023 International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Tissue factor pathway inhibitor α (TFPIα) is the major physiological regulator of the initiation of blood coagulation. In vitro, TFPIα anticoagulant function is enhanced by its cofactor, protein S. To define the role of protein S enhancement in TFPIα anticoagulant function in vivo, we blocked endogenous TFPI in mice using a monoclonal antibody (14D1). This caused a profound increase in fibrin deposition using the laser injury thrombosis model. To explore the role of plasma TFPIα in regulating thrombus formation, increasing concentrations of human TFPIα were coinjected with 14D1, which dose-dependently reduced fibrin deposition. Inhibition of protein S cofactor function using recombinant C4b-binding protein β chain significantly reduced the anticoagulant function of human TFPIα in controlling fibrin deposition. We report an in vivo model that is sensitive to the anticoagulant properties of the TFPIα-protein S pathway and show the importance of protein S as a cofactor in the anticoagulant function of TFPIα in vivo.

Background: For maximal TFPIα functionality, 2 synergistic cofactors, protein S and FV-short, are required. Both interact with TFPIα, protein S through Kunitz 3 residues Arg199/Glu226 and FV-short with the C-terminus. How these interactions impact the synergistic enhancement remains unclear., Objectives: To determine the importance of the TFPIα-protein S and TFPIα-FV-short interactions for TFPIα enhancement., Methods: TFPIα variants unable to bind protein S (K3m [R199Q/E226Q]) or FV-short (ΔCT [aa 1-249]) were generated. TFPIα-FV-short binding was studied by plate-binding and co-immunoprecipitation assays; functional TFPIα enhancement by FXa inhibition and prothrombin activation., Results: While WT TFPIα and TFPIα K3m bound FV-short with high affinity (K d ∼2nM), TFPIα ΔCT did not. K3m, in contrast to WT, did not incorporate protein S in a TFPIα-FV-short-protein S complex while TFPIα ΔCT bound neither FV-short nor protein S. Protein S enhanced WT TFPIα-mediated FXa inhibition, but not K3m, in the absence of FV-short. However, once FV-short was present, protein S efficiently enhanced TFPIα K3m (EC50: 4.7nM vs 2.0nM for WT). FXa inhibition by ΔCT was not enhanced by protein S alone or combined with FV-short. In FXa-catalyzed prothrombin activation assays, FV-short enhanced TFPIα K3m function in the presence of protein S (5.5 vs 10.4-fold enhancement of WT) whereas ΔCT showed reduced or lack of enhancement by FV-short and protein S, respectively., Conclusion: Full TFPIα function requires the presence of both cofactors. While synergistic enhancement can be achieved in the absence of TFPIα-protein S interaction, only TFPIα with an intact C-terminus can be synergistically enhanced by protein S and FV-short., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interests J.A. is a consultant for Silence Therapeutics Ltd. M.G., V.M.N., I.I.S-C., and J.T.B.C. have no competing financial interests to declare., (Copyright © 2023 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Severe deficiency in ADAMTS-13 (<10%) and the loss of von Willebrand factor-cleaving function can precipitate microvascular thrombosis associated with thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP). Patients with immune-mediated TTP (iTTP) have anti-ADAMTS-13 immunoglobulin G antibodies that inhibit ADAMTS-13 function and/or increase ADAMTS-13 clearance. Patients with iTTP are treated primarily by plasma exchange (PEX), often in combination with adjunct therapies that target either the von Willebrand factor-dependent microvascular thrombotic processes (caplacizumab) or the autoimmune components (steroids or rituximab) of the disease., Objectives: To investigate the contributions of autoantibody-mediated ADAMTS-13 clearance and inhibition in patients with iTTP at presentation and through the course of the PEX therapy., Patients/methods: Anti-ADAMTS-13 immunoglobulin G antibodies, ADAMTS-13 antigen, and activity were measured before and after each PEX in 17 patients with iTTP and 20 acute TTP episodes., Results: At presentation, 14 out of 15 patients with iTTP had ADAMTS-13 antigen levels of <10%, suggesting a major contribution of ADAMTS-13 clearance to the deficiency state. After the first PEX, both ADAMTS-13 antigen and activity levels increased similarly, and the anti-ADAMTS-13 autoantibody titer decreased in all patients, revealing ADAMTS-13 inhibition to be a modest modifier of the ADAMTS-13 function in iTTP. Analysis of ADAMTS-13 antigen levels between consecutive PEX treatments revealed that the rate of ADAMTS-13 clearance in 9 out of 14 patients analyzed was 4- to 10-fold faster than the estimated normal rate of clearance., Conclusion: These data reveal, both at presentation and during PEX treatment, that antibody-mediated clearance of ADAMTS-13 is the major pathogenic mechanism that causes ADAMTS-13 deficiency in iTTP. Understanding the kinetics of ADAMTS-13 clearance in iTTP may now enable further optimization of treatment of patients with iTTP., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interests There are no competing interests to disclose., (Copyright © 2023 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is traditionally considered an antibody-mediated disease. However, a number of features suggest alternative mechanisms of platelet destruction. In this study, we use a multidimensional approach to explore the role of cytotoxic CD8+ T cells in ITP. We characterized patients with ITP and compared them with age-matched controls using immunophenotyping, next-generation sequencing of T-cell receptor (TCR) genes, single-cell RNA sequencing, and functional T-cell and platelet assays. We found that adults with chronic ITP have increased polyfunctional, terminally differentiated effector memory CD8+ T cells (CD45RA+CD62L-) expressing intracellular interferon gamma, tumor necrosis factor α, and granzyme B, defining them as TEMRA cells. These TEMRA cells expand when the platelet count falls and show no evidence of physiological exhaustion. Deep sequencing of the TCR showed expanded T-cell clones in patients with ITP. T-cell clones persisted over many years, were more prominent in patients with refractory disease, and expanded when the platelet count was low. Combined single-cell RNA and TCR sequencing of CD8+ T cells confirmed that the expanded clones are TEMRA cells. Using in vitro model systems, we show that CD8+ T cells from patients with ITP form aggregates with autologous platelets, release interferon gamma, and trigger platelet activation and apoptosis via the TCR-mediated release of cytotoxic granules. These findings of clonally expanded CD8+ T cells causing platelet activation and apoptosis provide an antibody-independent mechanism of platelet destruction, indicating that targeting specific T-cell clones could be a novel therapeutic approach for patients with refractory ITP., (© 2023 by The American Society of Hematology.)

Platelets are essential for the formation of a haemostatic plug to prevent bleeding, while neutrophils are the guardians of our immune defences against invading pathogens. The interplay between platelets and innate immunity, and subsequent triggering of the activation of coagulation is part of the host system to prevent systemic spread of pathogen in the blood stream. Aberrant immunothrombosis and excessive inflammation can however, contribute to the thrombotic burden observed in many cardiovascular diseases. In this review, we highlight how platelets and neutrophils interact with each other and how their crosstalk is central to both arterial and venous thrombosis and in COVID-19. While targeting platelets and coagulation enables efficient antithrombotic treatments, they are often accompanied with a bleeding risk. We also discuss how novel approaches to reduce platelet-mediated recruitment of neutrophils could represent promising therapies to treat thrombosis without affecting haemostasis.

The GPIbT-VWF A1 domain interaction is essential for platelet tethering under high shear. Synergy between GPIbα and GPVI signaling machineries has been suggested previously, however its molecular mechanism remains unclear. We generated a novel GPIbα transgenic mouse (GpIbαΔsig/Δsig) by CRISPR-Cas9 technology to delete the last 24 residues of the GPIbα intracellular tail that harbors the 14-3-3 and phosphoinositide-3 kinase binding sites. GPIbαΔsig/Δsig platelets bound VWF normally under flow. However, they formed fewer filopodia on VWF/botrocetin in the presence of a oIIbI3 blocker, demonstrating that despite normal ligand binding, VWF-dependent signaling is diminished. Activation of GpIbαΔsig/Δsig platelets with ADP and thrombin was normal, but GpIbαΔsig/Δsig platelets stimulated with collagen-related-peptide (CRP) exhibited markedly decreased P-selectin exposure and eIIbI3 activation, suggesting a role for the GpIbaaintracellular tail in GPVI-mediated signaling. Consistent with this, while haemostasis was normal in GPIbαΔsig/Δsig mice, diminished tyrosine-phosphorylation, (particularly pSYK) was detected in CRP-stimulated GpIbαΔsig/Δsig platelets as well as reduced platelet spreading on CRP. Platelet responses to rhodocytin were also affected in GpIbαΔsig/Δsig platelets but to a lesser extent than those with CRP. GpIbαΔsig/Δsig platelets formed smaller aggregates than wild-type platelets on collagen-coated microchannels at low, medium and high shear. In response to both VWF and collagen binding, flow assays performed with plasma-free blood or in the presence of bIIbI3- or GPVI-blockers suggested reduced bIIbI3 activation contributes to the phenotype of the GpIbαΔsig/Δsig platelets. Together, these results reveal a new role for the intracellular tail of GPIbiiin transducing both VWF-GPIbGGand collagen-GPVI signaling events in platelets.

Protein S is a cofactor in the tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI) anticoagulant pathway. It enhances TFPIα-mediated inhibition of factor (F)Xa activity and generation. The enhancement is dependent on a TFPIα-protein S interaction involving TFPIα Kunitz 3 and protein S laminin G-type (LG)-1. C4b binding protein (C4BP), which binds to protein S LG1, almost completely abolishes its TFPI cofactor function. However, neither the amino acids involved in TFPIα enhancement nor the mechanisms underlying the reduced TFPI cofactor function of C4BP-bound protein S are known. To screen for functionally important regions within protein S LG1, we generated 7 variants with inserted N-linked glycosylation attachment sites. Protein S D253T and Q427N/K429T displayed severely reduced TFPI cofactor function while showing normal activated protein C (APC) cofactor function and C4BP binding. Based on these results, we designed 4 protein S variants in which 4 to 6 surface-exposed charged residues were substituted for alanine. One variant, protein S K255A/E257A/D287A/R410A/K423A/E424A, exhibited either abolished or severely reduced TFPI cofactor function in plasma and FXa inhibition assays, both in the presence or absence of FV-short, but retained normal APC cofactor function and high-affinity C4BP binding. The C4BP β-chain was expressed to determine the mechanisms behind the reduced TFPI cofactor function of C4BP-bound protein S. Like C4BP-bound protein S, C4BP β-chain-bound protein S had severely reduced TFPI cofactor function. These results show that protein S Lys255, Glu257, Asp287, Arg410, Lys423, and Glu424 are critical for protein S-mediated enhancement of TFPIα and that binding of the C4BP β-chain blocks this function., (© 2022 by The American Society of Hematology. Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0), permitting only noncommercial, nonderivative use with attribution. All other rights reserved.)

ADAMTS13 is a plasma metalloprotease that is essential for the regulation of von Willebrand factor (VWF) function, mediator of platelet recruitment to sites of blood vessel damage. ADAMTS13 function is dynamically regulated by structural changes induced by VWF binding that convert it from a latent to active conformation. ADAMTS13 global latency is manifest by the interaction of its C-terminal CUB1-2 domains with its central Spacer domain. We resolved the crystal structure of the ADAMTS13 CUB1-2 domains revealing a previously unreported configuration for the tandem CUB domains. Docking simulations between the CUB1-2 domains with the Spacer domain in combination with enzyme kinetic functional characterization of ADAMTS13 CUB domain mutants enabled the mapping of the CUB1-2 domain site that binds the Spacer domain. Together, these data reveal the molecular basis of the ADAMTS13 Spacer-CUB interaction and the control of ADAMTS13 global latency., (Copyright © 2021 The Authors, some rights reserved; exclusive licensee American Association for the Advancement of Science. No claim to original U.S. Government Works. Distributed under a Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0 (CC BY).)

Platelet-derived extracellular vesicles (PDEVs) are the most abundant amongst all types of EVs in the circulation. However, the mechanisms leading to PDEVs release, their role in coagulation and phenotypic composition are poorly understood. PDEVs from washed platelets were generated using different stimuli and were characterised using nanoparticle tracking analysis. Procoagulant properties were evaluated by fluorescence flow cytometry and calibrated automated thrombography. EVs from plasma were isolated and concentrated using a novel protocol involving a combination of size exclusion chromatography and differential centrifugation, which produces pure and concentrated EVs. Agonist stimulation enhanced PDEV release, but did not alter the average size of EVs compared to those produced by unstimulated platelets. Agonist stimulation led to lower negatively-charged phospholipid externalization in PDEVs, which was reflected in the lower procoagulant activity compared to those generated without agonist stimulation. Circulating EVs did not have externalized negatively-charged phospholipids. None of the 4 types of EVs presented tissue factor. The mechanism by which PDEV formation is induced is a critical determinant of its phenotype and function. Importantly, we have developed methods to obtain clean, concentrated and functional EVs derived from platelet-free plasma and washed platelets, which can be used to provide novel insight into their biological functions.

Plasma ADAMTS13 circulates in a folded conformation that is stabilized by an interaction between the central Spacer domain and the C-terminal CUB (complement components C1r and C1s, sea urchin protein Uegf, and bone morphogenetic protein-1) domains. Binding of ADAMTS13 to the VWF D4(-CK) domains or to certain activating murine monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) induces a structural change that extends ADAMTS13 into an open conformation that enhances its function. The objective was to characterize the mechanism by which conformational activation enhances ADAMTS13-mediated proteolysis of VWF. The activating effects of a novel anti-Spacer (3E4) and the anti-CUB1 (17G2) mAbs on the kinetics of proteolysis of VWF A2 domain fragments by ADAMTS13 were analyzed. mAb-induced conformational changes in ADAMTS13 were investigated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Both mAbs enhanced ADAMTS13 catalytic efficiency (kcat/Km) by ∼twofold (3E4: 2.0-fold; 17G2: 1.8-fold). Contrary to previous hypotheses, ADAMTS13 activation was not mediated through exposure of the Spacer or cysteine-rich domain exosites. Kinetic analyses revealed that mAb-induced conformational extension of ADAMTS13 enhances the proteolytic function of the metalloprotease domain (kcat), rather than augmenting substrate binding (Km). A conformational effect on the metalloprotease domain was further corroborated by the finding that incubation of ADAMTS13 with either mAb exposed a cryptic epitope in the metalloprotease domain that is normally concealed when ADAMTS13 is in a closed conformation. We show for the first time that the primary mechanism of mAb-induced conformational activation of ADAMTS13 is not a consequence of functional exosite exposure. Rather, our data are consistent with an allosteric activation mechanism on the metalloprotease domain that augments active site function., (© 2020 by The American Society of Hematology.)

Background: Activated protein C (APC)-mediated inactivation of factor (F)Va is greatly enhanced by protein S. For inactivation to occur, a trimolecular complex among FVa, APC, and protein S must form on the phospholipid membrane. However, direct demonstration of complex formation has proven elusive., Objectives: To elucidate the nature of the phospholipid-dependent interactions among APC, protein S, and FVa., Methods: We evaluated binding of active site blocked APC to phospholipid-coated magnetic beads in the presence and absence of protein S and/or FVa. The importance of protein S and FV residues were evaluated functionally., Results: Activated protein C alone bound weakly to phospholipids. Protein S mildly enhanced APC binding to phospholipid surfaces, whereas FVa did not. However, FVa together with protein S enhanced APC binding (>14-fold), demonstrating formation of an APC/protein S/FVa complex. C4b binding protein-bound protein S failed to enhance APC binding, agreeing with its reduced APC cofactor function. Protein S variants (E36A and D95A) with reduced APC cofactor function exhibited essentially normal augmentation of APC binding to phospholipids, but diminished APC/protein S/FVa complex formation, suggesting involvement in interactions dependent upon FVa. Similarly, FVa Nara (W1920R), an APC-resistant FV variant, also did not efficiently incorporate into the trimolecular complex as efficiently as wild-type FVa. FVa inactivation assays suggested that the mutation impairs its affinity for phospholipid membranes and with protein S within the complex., Conclusions: FVa plays a central role in the formation of its inactivation complex. Furthermore, membrane proximal interactions among FVa, APC, and protein S are essential for its cofactor function., (© 2019 The Authors. Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis.)

Background: Bone morphogenetic and activin membrane-bound inhibitor (BAMBI) is a transmembrane protein related to the type I transforming growth factor- β (TGF-β) receptor family that is present on both platelets and endothelial cells (ECs). Bambi-deficient mice exhibit reduced hemostatic function and thrombus stability characterized by an increased embolization., Objective: We aimed to delineate how BAMBI influences endothelial function and thrombus stability., Methods: Bambi-deficient mice were subjected to the laser-induced thrombosis model where platelet and fibrin accumulation was evaluated. Expression of thrombomodulin and tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI) was also assessed in these mice., Results: Thrombus instability in Bambi -/- mice was associated with a profound defect in fibrin deposition. Injection of hirudin into Bambi +/+ mice prior to thrombus formation recapitulated the Bambi -/- thrombus instability phenotype. In contrast, hirudin had no additional effect upon thrombus formation in Bambi -/- mice. Deletion of Bambi in ECs resulted in mice with defective thrombus stability caused by decreased fibrin accumulation. Increased levels of the anticoagulant proteins TFPI and thrombomodulin were detected in Bambi -/- mouse lung homogenates. Endothelial cells isolated from Bambi -/- mouse lungs exhibited enhanced ability to activate protein C due to elevated thrombomodulin levels. Blocking thrombomodulin and TFPI in vivo fully restored fibrin accumulation and thrombus stability in Bambi -/- mice., Conclusions: We demonstrate that endothelial BAMBI influences fibrin generation and thrombus stability by modulating thrombomodulin and TFPI anticoagulant function of the endothelium; we also highlight the importance of these anticoagulant proteins in the laser-induced thrombosis model., (© 2019 The Authors. Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis.)

Platelet recruitment to sites of blood vessel damage is highly dependent upon von Willebrand factor (VWF). VWF platelet-tethering function is proteolytically regulated by the metalloprotease ADAMTS13. Proteolysis depends upon shear-induced conformational changes in VWF that reveal the A2 domain cleavage site. Multiple ADAMTS13 exosite interactions are involved in recognition of the unfolded A2 domain. Here we report through kinetic analyses that, in binding VWF, the ADAMTS13 cysteine-rich and spacer domain exosites bring enzyme and substrate into proximity. Thereafter, binding of the ADAMTS13 disintegrin-like domain exosite to VWF allosterically activates the adjacent metalloprotease domain to facilitate proteolysis. The crystal structure of the ADAMTS13 metalloprotease to spacer domains reveals that the metalloprotease domain exhibits a latent conformation in which the active-site cleft is occluded supporting the requirement for an allosteric change to enable accommodation of the substrate. Our data demonstrate that VWF functions as both the activating cofactor and substrate for ADAMTS13.

The protease ADAMTS7 functions in the extracellular matrix (ECM) of the cardiovascular system. However, its physiological substrate specificity and mechanism of regulation remain to be explored. To address this, we conducted an unbiased substrate analysis using terminal amine isotopic labeling of substrates (TAILS). The analysis identified candidate substrates of ADAMTS7 in the human fibroblast secretome, including proteins with a wide range of functions, such as collagenous and noncollagenous extracellular matrix proteins, growth factors, proteases, and cell-surface receptors. It also suggested that autolysis occurs at Glu-729-Val-730 and Glu-732-Ala-733 in the ADAMTS7 Spacer domain, which was corroborated by N-terminal sequencing and Western blotting. Importantly, TAILS also identified proteolysis of the latent TGF-β-binding proteins 3 and 4 (LTBP3/4) at a Glu-Val and Glu-Ala site, respectively. Using purified enzyme and substrate, we confirmed ADAMTS7-catalyzed proteolysis of recombinant LTBP4. Moreover, we identified multiple additional scissile bonds in an N-terminal linker region of LTBP4 that connects fibulin-5/tropoelastin and fibrillin-1-binding regions, which have an important role in elastogenesis. ADAMTS7-mediated cleavage of LTBP4 was efficiently inhibited by the metalloprotease inhibitor TIMP-4, but not by TIMP-1 and less efficiently by TIMP-2 and TIMP-3. As TIMP-4 expression is prevalent in cardiovascular tissues, we propose that TIMP-4 represents the primary endogenous ADAMTS7 inhibitor. In summary, our findings reveal LTBP4 as an ADAMTS7 substrate, whose cleavage may potentially impact elastogenesis in the cardiovascular system. We also identify TIMP-4 as a likely physiological ADAMTS7 inhibitor., (© 2019 Colige et al.)

Tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI), the main inhibitor of initiation of coagulation, exerts an important anticoagulant role through the factor Xa (FXa)-dependent inhibition of tissue factor/factor VIIa. Protein S is a TFPI cofactor, enhancing the efficiency of FXa inhibition. TFPI can also inhibit prothrombinase assembly by directly interacting with coagulation factor V (FV), which has been activated by FXa. Because full-length TFPI associates with FV in plasma, we hypothesized that FV may influence TFPI inhibitory function. Using pure component FXa inhibition assays, we found that although FV alone did not influence TFPI-mediated FXa inhibition, it further enhanced TFPI in the presence of protein S, resulting in an ∼8-fold reduction in K i compared with TFPI alone. A FV variant (R709Q/R1018Q/R1545Q, FV ΔIIa ) that cannot be cleaved/activated by thrombin or FXa also enhanced TFPI-mediated inhibition of FXa ∼12-fold in the presence of protein S. In contrast, neither activated FV nor recombinant B-domain-deleted FV could enhance TFPI-mediated inhibition of FXa in the presence of protein S, suggesting a functional contribution of the B domain. Using TFPI and protein S variants, we show further that the enhancement of TFPI-mediated FXa inhibition by protein S and FV depends on a direct protein S/TFPI interaction and that the TFPI C-terminal tail is not essential for this enhancement. In FXa-catalyzed prothrombin activation assays, both FV and FV ΔIIa (but not activated FV) enhanced TFPI function in the presence of protein S. These results demonstrate a new anticoagulant (cofactor) function of FV that targets the early phase of coagulation before prothrombinase assembly., (© 2017 by The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Inc.)