Prothrombin Loading of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell–Derived Exosomes Regulates Coagulation and Calcification

Abstract

Gamma-carboxylated coagulation proteins are potent inhibitors of vascular calcification suggesting warfarin action on these factors also contributes to accelerated calcification in patients receiving this drug. VSMC exosomes link calcification and coagulation acting as novel activators of the extrinsic coagulation pathway and inducers of calcification in the absence of Gla-containing inhibitors.