Proteomic Analysis of Extracellular Vesicle Cargoes Mirror the
Cardioprotective Effects of Rivaroxaban in Patients with Venous
Thromboembolism
Abstract
Venous Thromboembolism (VTE) remains a significant cause of morbidity
and mortality worldwide. Rivaroxaban, a direct oral factor Xa inhibitor,
mediates anti-inflammatory and cardiovascular-protective effects besides
its well-established anticoagulant properties; yet, these remain poorly
characterized. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are considered
proinflammatory messengers regulating a myriad of (patho)physiological
processes and may be highly relevant to the pathophysiology of VTE. The
effects of Rivaroxaban on circulating EVs in VTE patients remain
unknown. We have established that differential EV biosignatures are
found in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation anticoagulated
with Rivaroxaban versus warfarin. Here, we investigated whether
differential proteomic profiles of circulating EVs could also be found
in patients with VTE. We performed comparative label-free quantitative
proteomic profiling of enriched plasma EVs from VTE patients
anticoagulated with either Rivaroxaban or warfarin using a tandem mass
spectrometry approach. Of the 181 quantified proteins, 6 were found to
be either exclusive to, or enriched in, Rivaroxaban-treated patients.
Intriguingly, these proteins form a cluster tightly involved in negative
feedback regulation of inflammatory and coagulation pathways, suggesting
that EV proteomic signatures may reflect both Rivaroxaban’s
anti-coagulatory and anti-inflammatory potential. These findings may be
of translational relevance towards characterizing the emerging
anti-inflammatory and cardioprotective mechanisms associated with this
therapy.