Abstract: Objectives To observe the expressions and locations of TF and TFPI in the femoral artery atherosclerotic plaque. Methods we detected the expressions and locations of TF and TFPI in femoral artery atherosclerotic plaque by immunohistochemical and double-stain immunohistochemical method. we detected TFmRNA and TFPImRNA expressions in atherosclerotic plaque by RT-PCR, with the normal umbilical artery as a control. Results Used as a control, the normal umbilical artery contained little TF ,TFPI and their mRNA in the adventitia. A great deal of TF，TFPI and their mRNA were detected in the tunica intima of the femoral artery atherosclerotic plaque, and they were colocalized in all types of cells and stroma.

Key words: tissue factor, tissue factor pathway inhibitor, atherosclerosis