The Apelin/APJ System: A Potential Therapeutic Target for Sepsis

Abstract

Qing Song, Xi Wang,* Zhenhuan Cao,* Chun Xin,* Jingyuan Zhang,* Suwei Li Intensive Care Unit, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning, 116000, People’s Republic of China*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Suwei Li, Tel [phone], Email [email protected]: Apelin is the native ligand for the G protein-coupled receptor APJ. Numerous studies have demonstrated that the Apelin/APJ system has positive inotropic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic effects and regulates fluid homeostasis. The Apelin/APJ system has been demonstrated to play a protective role in sepsis and may serve as a promising therapeutic target for the treatment of sepsis. Better understanding of the mechanisms of the effects of the Apelin/APJ system will aid in the development of novel drugs for the treatment of sepsis. In this review, we provide a brief overview of the physiological role of the Apelin/APJ system and its role in sepsis.Keywords: apelin, sepsis, organ dysfunction, hemodynamics, fluid homeostasis

Keywords

• apelin
• sepsis
• organ dysfunction
• hemodynamics
• fluid homeostasis