2. Academic Validation
  3. Effects of the factor Xa inhibitor rivaroxaban on the differentiation of endothelial progenitor cells

Effects of the factor Xa inhibitor rivaroxaban on the differentiation of endothelial progenitor cells

  • BMC Cardiovasc Disord. 2023 Jun 2;23(1):282. doi: 10.1186/s12872-023-03318-4.
Ryoichi Sohma # 1,  Masashi Sakuma # 2,  Syotaro Obi 1 3,  Setsu Nishino 3,  Ken-Ichi Inoue 1,  Satoko Kishimoto 1,  Tianyang Lu 3,  Shigeru Toyoda 3,  Teruo Inoue 4 5
Affiliations

Affiliations

  • 1 Center for Advanced Medical Science Research, Dokkyo Medical University, 880 Kitakobayashi, Mibu, Tochigi, 321-0293, Japan.
  • 2 Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Dokkyo Medical University, 880 Kitakobayashi, Mibu, Tochigi, 321-0293, Japan. masakuma@dokkyomed.ac.jp.
  • 3 Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Dokkyo Medical University, 880 Kitakobayashi, Mibu, Tochigi, 321-0293, Japan.
  • 4 Japan Red Cross Society, Nasu Red Cross Hospital, 1081-4 Nakadawara, Tochigi, 324-8686, Otawara, Japan.
  • 5 Dokkyo Medical University, 880 Kitakobayashi, Mibu, Tochigi, 321-0293, Japan.
  • # Contributed equally.
PMID: 37268884 DOI: 10.1186/s12872-023-03318-4
Abstract

Background: We evaluated the efficacy of the Factor Xa Inhibitor rivaroxaban on the differentiation ability of vascular endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs), which play roles in vascular injury repair and atherogenesis. Antithrombotic treatment in patients with atrial fibrillation undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is challenging, and current guidelines recommend oral anticoagulant monotherapy 1 year or more after PCI. However, biological evidence of the pharmacological effects of anticoagulants is insufficient.

Methods: EPC colony-forming assays were performed using peripheral blood-derived CD34-positive cells from healthy volunteers. Adhesion and tube formation of cultured EPCs were assessed in human umbilical cord-derived CD34-positive cells. Endothelial cell surface markers were assessed using flow cytometry, and Akt and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) phosphorylation were examined using western blot analysis of EPCs. Adhesion, tube formation and endothelial cell surface marker expression was observed in EPCs transfected with small interfering RNA (siRNA) against Protease-activated Receptor (PAR)-2. Finally, EPC behaviors were assessed in patients with atrial fibrillation undergoing PCI in whom warfarin was changed to rivaroxaban.

Results: Rivaroxaban increased the number of large EPC colonies and increased the bioactivities of EPCs, including adhesion and tube formation. Rivaroxaban also increased vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR)-1, VEGFR-2, TIE-2, and E-Selectin expression as well as Akt and eNOS phosphorylation. PAR-2 knockdown increased the bioactivities of EPCs and endothelial cell surface marker expression. Patients in whom the number of large colonies increased after switching to rivaroxaban showed better vascular repair.

Conclusions: Rivaroxaban increased the differentiation ability of EPCs, leading to potential advantages in the treatment of coronary artery disease.

Keywords

Colony-forming assay; Coronary artery disease; Endothelial progenitor cell; Protease-activated receptor-2; Rivaroxaban.

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