1
|
Song Q, Wang X, Cao Z, Xin C, Zhang J, Li S. The Apelin/APJ System: A Potential Therapeutic Target for Sepsis. J Inflamm Res 2024; 17:313-330. [PMID: 38250143 PMCID: PMC10800090 DOI: 10.2147/jir.s436169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/01/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
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.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qing Song
- Intensive Care Unit, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning, 116000, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xi Wang
- Intensive Care Unit, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning, 116000, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zhenhuan Cao
- Intensive Care Unit, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning, 116000, People’s Republic of China
| | - Chun Xin
- Intensive Care Unit, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning, 116000, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jingyuan Zhang
- Intensive Care Unit, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning, 116000, People’s Republic of China
| | - Suwei Li
- Intensive Care Unit, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning, 116000, People’s Republic of China
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Monastero R, Magro D, Venezia M, Pisano C, Balistreri CR. A promising therapeutic peptide and preventive/diagnostic biomarker for age-related diseases: The Elabela/Apela/Toddler peptide. Ageing Res Rev 2023; 91:102076. [PMID: 37776977 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2023.102076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2023] [Revised: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/02/2023]
Abstract
Elabela (ELA), Apela or Toddler peptide is a hormone peptide belonging to the adipokine group and a component of apelinergic system, discovered in 2013-2014. Given its high homology with apelin, the first ligand of APJ receptor, ELA likely mediates similar effects. Increasing evidence shows that ELA has a critical function not only in embryonic development, but also in adulthood, contributing to physiological and pathological conditions, such as the onset of age-related diseases (ARD). However, still little is known about the mechanisms and molecular pathways of ELA, as well as its precise functions in ARD pathophysiology. Here, we report the mechanisms by which ELA/APJ signaling acts in a very complex network of pathways for the maintenance of physiological functions of human tissue and organs, as well as in the onset of some ARD, where it appears to play a central role. Therefore, we describe the possibility to use the ELA/APJ pathway, as novel biomarker (predictive and diagnostic) and target for personalized treatments of ARD. Its potentiality as an optimal peptide candidate for therapeutic ARD treatments is largely described, also detailing potential current limitations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Monastero
- Section of Neurology, Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Daniele Magro
- Cellular, Molecular and Clinical Pathological Laboratory, Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience and Advanced Diagnostics (Bi.N.D.), University of Palermo, 90134, Palermo, Italy
| | - Marika Venezia
- Cellular, Molecular and Clinical Pathological Laboratory, Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience and Advanced Diagnostics (Bi.N.D.), University of Palermo, 90134, Palermo, Italy
| | - Calogera Pisano
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Tor Vergata University Rome, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Carmela Rita Balistreri
- Cellular, Molecular and Clinical Pathological Laboratory, Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience and Advanced Diagnostics (Bi.N.D.), University of Palermo, 90134, Palermo, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Gao S, Chen H. Therapeutic potential of apelin and Elabela in cardiovascular disease. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 166:115268. [PMID: 37562237 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.115268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2023] [Revised: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Apelin and Elabela (Ela) are peptides encoded by APLN and APELA, respectively, which act on their receptor APJ and play crucial roles in the body. Recent research has shown that they not only have important effects on the endocrine system, but also promote vascular development and maintain the homeostasis of myocardial cells. From a molecular biology perspective, we explored the roles of Ela and apelin in the cardiovascular system and summarized the mechanisms of apelin-APJ signaling in the progression of myocardial infarction, ischemia-reperfusion injury, atherosclerosis, pulmonary arterial hypertension, preeclampsia, and congenital heart disease. Evidences indicated that apelin and Ela play important roles in cardiovascular diseases, and there are many studies focused on developing apelin, Ela, and their analogues for clinical treatments. However, the literature on the therapeutic potential of apelin, Ela and their analogues and other APJ agonists in the cardiovascular system is still limited. This review summarized the regulatory pathways of apelin/ELA-APJ axis in cardiovascular function and cardiovascular-related diseases, and the therapeutic effects of their analogues in cardiovascular diseases were also included.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shenghan Gao
- Department of Histology and embryology, Medical College of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, PR China; Queen Mary School, Medical Department, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, PR China
| | - Hongping Chen
- Department of Histology and embryology, Medical College of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, PR China.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Pang B, Jiang YR, Xu JY, Shao DX, Hao LY. Apelin/ELABELA-APJ system in cardiac hypertrophy: Regulatory mechanisms and therapeutic potential. Eur J Pharmacol 2023; 949:175727. [PMID: 37062502 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2023.175727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2022] [Revised: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 04/18/2023]
Abstract
Heart failure is one of the most significant public health problems faced by millions of medical researchers worldwide. And pathological cardiac hypertrophy is considered one of the possible factors of increasing the risk of heart failure. Here, we introduce apelin/ELABELA-APJ system as a novel therapeutic target for cardiac hypertrophy, bringing about new directions in clinical treatment. Apelin has been proven to regulate cardiac hypertrophy through various pathways. And an increasing number of studies on ELABELA, the newly discovered endogenous ligand, suggest it can alleviate cardiac hypertrophy through mechanisms similar or different to apelin. In this review, we elaborate on the role that apelin/ELABELA-APJ system plays in cardiac hypertrophy and the intricate mechanisms that apelin/ELABELA-APJ affect cardiac hypertrophy. We also illuminate and make comparisons of the newly designed peptides and small molecules as agonists and antagonists for APJ, updating the breakthroughs in this field.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bo Pang
- China Medical University-The Queen's University of Belfast Joint College, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast Northern Ireland, BT9 7BL, United Kingdom.
| | - Yin-Ru Jiang
- China Medical University-The Queen's University of Belfast Joint College, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast Northern Ireland, BT9 7BL, United Kingdom.
| | - Jia-Yao Xu
- China Medical University-The Queen's University of Belfast Joint College, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast Northern Ireland, BT9 7BL, United Kingdom.
| | - Dong-Xue Shao
- Department of Pharmaceutical Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, Shenyang, 110122, China.
| | - Li-Ying Hao
- Department of Pharmaceutical Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, Shenyang, 110122, China.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Narayanan S, Dai D, Vyas Devambatla RK, Albert V, Bruneau-Latour N, Vasukuttan V, Ciblat S, Rehder K, Runyon SP, Maitra R. Synthesis and characterization of an orally bioavailable small molecule agonist of the apelin receptor. Bioorg Med Chem 2022; 66:116789. [PMID: 35594649 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2022.116789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2022] [Revised: 04/28/2022] [Accepted: 04/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
The apelin receptor (APJ) is a target for cardiovascular indications. Previously, we had identified a novel pyrazole-based agonist 1 ((S)-N-(1-(cyclobutylamino)-1-oxo-5-(piperidin-1-yl)pentan-3-yl)-1-cyclopentyl-5-(2,6-dimethoxyphenyl)-1H-pyrazole-3-carboxamide hydrochloride) of this GPCR. Systematic modification of 1 was performed to produce compounds with improved potency and ADME properties. Orally bioavailable compound 47 with favorable agonist potency (Ca2+EC50 = 24 nM, cAMPi EC50 = 6.5 nM) and pharmacokinetic properties (clearance ∼20 mL/min/kg in rats) was identified. This compound has vastly reduced brain penetration and is devoid of significant off-target liability. In summary, a potent and selective APJ agonist suitable for in vivo studies of APJ in peripheral tissues after oral administration has been identified.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sanju Narayanan
- Center for Drug Discovery, RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
| | - Donghua Dai
- Sterling Pharma Solutions Limited, Sheldon Drive, Cary, NC 27513, USA
| | | | - Vincent Albert
- Paraza Pharma Inc, 7171 Frederick-Banting Montréal, QC H4S 1Z9, Canada
| | | | - Vineetha Vasukuttan
- Center for Drug Discovery, RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
| | - Stephane Ciblat
- Paraza Pharma Inc, 7171 Frederick-Banting Montréal, QC H4S 1Z9, Canada
| | - Kenneth Rehder
- Center for Drug Discovery, RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
| | - Scott P Runyon
- Center for Drug Discovery, RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA.
| | - Rangan Maitra
- Center for Drug Discovery, RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
de Oliveira AA, Vergara A, Wang X, Vederas JC, Oudit GY. Apelin pathway in cardiovascular, kidney, and metabolic diseases: Therapeutic role of apelin analogs and apelin receptor agonists. Peptides 2022; 147:170697. [PMID: 34801627 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2021.170697] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2021] [Revised: 11/12/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The apelin/apelin receptor (ApelinR) signal transduction pathway exerts essential biological roles, particularly in the cardiovascular system. Disturbances in the apelin/ApelinR axis are linked to vascular, heart, kidney, and metabolic disorders. Therefore, the apelinergic system has surfaced as a critical therapeutic strategy for cardiovascular diseases (including pulmonary arterial hypertension), kidney disease, insulin resistance, hyponatremia, preeclampsia, and erectile dysfunction. However, apelin peptides are susceptible to rapid degradation through endogenous peptidases, limiting their use as therapeutic tools and translational potential. These proteases include angiotensin converting enzyme 2, neutral endopeptidase, and kallikrein thereby linking the apelin pathway with other peptide systems. In this context, apelin analogs with enhanced proteolytic stability and synthetic ApelinR agonists emerged as promising pharmacological alternatives. In this review, we focus on discussing the putative roles of the apelin pathway in various physiological systems from function to dysfunction, and emphasizing the therapeutic potential of newly generated metabolically stable apelin analogs and non-peptide ApelinR agonists.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Amanda A de Oliveira
- Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada; Mazankowski Alberta Heart Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Ander Vergara
- Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada; Mazankowski Alberta Heart Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Xiaopu Wang
- Mazankowski Alberta Heart Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada; Department of Physiology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - John C Vederas
- Department of Chemistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Gavin Y Oudit
- Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada; Mazankowski Alberta Heart Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada; Department of Physiology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|