Acta Anatomica Sinica ›› 2018, Vol. 49 ›› Issue (1): 127-131.doi: 10.16098/j.issn.0529-1356.2018.01.022

• Review • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Function of apelin/APJ signal in liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma

LIN Bo1 PAN Wei-tong2 KONG Jing3 Lü Xin-rui 3*   

  1. 1. Department of Pathophysiology, Basic School of Medicin, He’nan University, He’nan Kaifeng 475004, China; 2. Department of Physiology, Queen Mary College of Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China; 3. Department of Physiology, Basic School of Medicine, He’nan University, He’nan Kaifeng 475004, China
  • Received:2017-05-15 Revised:2017-09-11 Online:2017-02-06 Published:2018-02-06
  • Contact: Lü Xin-rui E-mail:lvxinrui@126.com

Abstract:

Apelin/APJ is a G-protein-coupled receptors signal, which is widespread in human and animal tissues including brain, lung, heart, vessels, gastrointestinal tract and kidney, et al. The system plays a vital role in regulating the physiological activities of the human body by participating in multitudinous cell signaling transduction process. Apelin/APJ function mainly includes the regulation of the cardiovascular system homeostasis, maintaining water and electrolyte balance, promoting pituitary hormone release and regulating biological rhythm, and regulating the immune system as an immunomodulatory factor. However, apelin/APJ function is still unknown. In liver, apelin-APJ signal may promote the development of liver fibrosis, cirrhosis and cancer and may play an inhibitory role in liver regeneration. In this review, we summarise the function of apelin/APJ system in hepatic disease.

Key words: Apelin, APJ, Signal, Liver cirrhosis, Hepatocellular carcinoma, Human