Apelin and its receptor APJ in cardiovascular diseases

Abstract

Apelin is an adipokine that has been identified as an endogenous ligand for the orphan receptor APJ. Apelin and APJ are expressed in a diverse range of tissues with particular preponderance for the heart and vasculature. Apelin has powerful positive inotropic actions and causes endothelium- and nitric oxide-dependent vasodilatation. Growing evidence shows that apelin/APJ system functions as a critical mediator of cardiovascular homeostasis and is involved in the pathophysiology of cardiovascular diseases. Targeting apelin/APJ axis produces protection against cardiovascular diseases. In the current review we have summarized recent data concerning the role and therapeutic potential of apelin/APJ in several major cardiovascular diseases. An increased understanding of the cardiovascular actions of apelin/APJ system will help to develop novel therapeutic interventions for cardiovascular diseases.

Keywords: ABCA1; ACAT1; APJ; ATP-binding cassette transporter A1; Ang II; Ang-1; Apelin; Atherosclerosis; BMP; BNP; CAD; COX-2; FGF2; GSK; HDAC; HIF-1α; Heart failure; Hypertension; ICAM-1; IRS1; JNK; MCP-1; MEF2; MIRI; NO; PAH; PDGF-BB; PGE2; PI3K; PKB; PKC; PPAR response elements; PPREs; TGF-β; TNF-α; VCAM-1; VEGFA; VSMC; acyl coenzyme A:cholesterol acyltransferase-1; angiopoietin-1; angiotensin II; apo E; apolipoprotein E; bone morphogenic protein; brain natriuretic peptide; c-Jun N-terminal kinase; coronary heart disease; cyclooxygenase-2; fibroblast growth factor 2; glycogen synthase kinase; histone deacetylase; hypoxia-inducible factor 1α; insulin receptor substrate 1; intercellular adhesion molecule-1; monocyte chemoattractant protein-1; myocardial ischemia–reperfusion injury; myocyte enhancer factor 2; nitric oxide; phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase; platelet-derived growth factor-BB; prostaglandin E2; protein kinase B; protein kinase C; pulmonary arterial hypertension; transforming growth factor-β; tumor necrosis factor-α; vascular cell adhesion molecule-1; vascular endothelial growth factor type A; vascular smooth muscle cell.