RATIONALE Neovascularization stimulated by local or recruited stem cells after ischemia is a key process that salvages damaged tissue and shows similarities with embryonic vascularization. Apelin receptor (Aplnr) and its endogenous ligand apelin play an important role in cardiovascular development. However, the role of apelin signaling in stem cell recruitment after ischemia is unknown. OBJEC...

Apelin binds to the G protein-coupled apelin receptor (APJ; gene name aplnr) to modulate diverse physiological systems including cardiovascular function, and hydromineral and metabolic balance. Recently a second endogenous ligand for APJ, named apela, has been discovered. We confirm that apela activates signal transduction pathways (ERK activation) in cells expressing the cloned rat APJ. Previo...

The apelinergic system is an important player in the regulation of both vascular tone and cardiovascular function, making this physiological system an attractive target for drug development for hypertension, heart failure and ischemic heart disease. Indeed, apelin exerts a positive inotropic effect in humans whilst reducing peripheral vascular resistance. In this study, we investigated the sign...

Blood vessels change their caliber to adapt to the demands of tissues or organs for oxygen and nutrients. This event is mainly organized at the capillary level and requires a size-sensing mechanism. However, the molecular regulatory mechanism involved in caliber size modification in blood vessels is not clear. Here we show that apelin, a protein secreted from endothelial cells under the activat...

BACKGROUND Adipocyte-secreted apelin contributes to decreased adiposity and to improved insulin resistance, but the mechanisms remain unknown. The present study aimed to assess if apelin-13 is an upstream signal regulation factor of aquaporin 7 (AQP7), a water-glycerol transporter present in the plasma membrane of adipocytes that plays a key role in the regulation of lipid accumulation. MATER...

34 35 Apelin, an endogenous ligand for APJ receptor, has been reported to be upregulated in 36 paraventricular nucleus (PVN) following stress. Central apelin is known to stimulate release 37 of corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) via APJ receptor. We tested the hypothesis that stress38 induced gastrointestinal (GI) dysfunction is mediated by central apelin. We also assessed the 39 effect of ex...

Abstract Introduction Apelin is a vasoactive peptide isolated as a selective endogenous ligand of orphan receptor, APJ, which was genetically identified to have closest identity to the angiotensin II type 1 (AT-1) receptor. Subsequent studies elucidated the roles of the apelin–APJ system in human physiology, including the regulation of cardiovascular function and fluid homeostasis. In spite of ...

The efficacy of therapeutic angiogenesis for revascularization in ischemia using genes, proteins, and cells has been established. For further improvement, processes allowing enlargement of the luminal cavity to facilitate efficient blood flow need to be facilitated. Recently, we found that expression of APJ and its specific ligand, apelin, is seen in endothelial cells when angiogenesis is takin...

OBJECTIVE The endogenous peptide apelin is differentially regulated in cardiovascular disease but the nature of its role in cardiac function remains unclear. METHODS We investigated the functional relevance of this peptide using ECG and respiration gated magnetic resonance imaging, conductance catheter pressure-volume hemodynamic measurements, and echocardiography in vivo. In addition, we car...