Angiotensin II promotes the anticoagulant effects of rivaroxaban via angiotensin type 2 receptor signaling in mice

Rivaroxaban is an oral direct factor Xa inhibitor approved for the treatment of stroke and systemic thromboembolism in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation. Despite its efficacy, rivaroxaban therapy results in adverse effects and complications, such as bleeding. Angiotensin II (AngII) is implicated in many cardiovascular conditions, such as hypertension and heart failure. In this study, we investigate whether AngII influences anticoagulant effects of rivaroxaban by using an experimental mouse model with type 2 diabetes mellitus and advanced glycation end product (AGE)-exposed human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). We found that AngII promoted the anticoagulant effects of rivaroxaban in KKAy mice. The combination of rivaroxaban and AngII enhanced in vivo tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI) activity and induced TFPI expression and activity in AGE-exposed HUVECs. Angiotensin type 2 receptor (AT2R) and Mas antagonists attenuated the AngII-enhanced anticoagulant action of rivaroxaban in vivo, and abolished the increased endothelial TFPI expression and activity. However, angiotensin type 1 receptor (AT1R) antagonist exerted no effects. Additionally, combination of rivaroxaban and AngII induced aortic AT2R and Mas expression. Our data suggest that the anticoagulant effects of rivaroxaban are promoted by AngII via AT2R and Mas signaling. These findings are significant for the clinical administration of rivaroxaban.