Essential Site Maintenance: Authorea-powered sites will be updated circa 15:00-17:00 Eastern on Tuesday 5 November.
There should be no interruption to normal services, but please contact us at [email protected] in case you face any issues.

loading page

HYPOTHESIS LETTER: Protease-activated receptor 1 (PAR1): A target for repurposing in the treatment of COVID-19?
  • Krishna Sriram,
  • Paul Insel
Krishna Sriram
University of California San Diego

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

Author Profile
Paul Insel
UCSD
Author Profile

Abstract

In the search to rapidly identify effective therapies that will mitigate the morbidity and mortality of COVID-19, attention has been directed towards the repurposing of existing drugs. Candidates for repurposing include drugs that target COVID-19 pathobiology, including agents that alter angiotensin signaling. Recent data indicate that key findings in COVID-19 patients include thrombosis and endothelitis Activation of PAR1 (protease activated receptor 1), in particular by the protease thrombin, is a critical element in platelet aggregation and coagulation. PAR1 activation also impacts on the actions of other cell types involved in COVID-19 pathobiology, including endothelial cells, fibroblasts and pulmonary alveolar epithelial cells. Vorapaxar is an approved inhibitor of PAR1, used for treatment of patients with myocardial infarction or peripheral arterial disease. Here, we discuss evidence implying a possible beneficial role for vorapaxar in the treatment of COVID-19 patients and in addition, other as-yet non-approved antagonists of PAR1 and PAR4.
08 Jun 2020Submitted to British Journal of Pharmacology
10 Jun 2020Submission Checks Completed
10 Jun 2020Assigned to Editor
10 Jun 2020Reviewer(s) Assigned
16 Jun 2020Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
18 Jun 20201st Revision Received
22 Jun 2020Submission Checks Completed
22 Jun 2020Assigned to Editor
22 Jun 2020Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
22 Jun 2020Editorial Decision: Accept