Study Progression of Apelin/APJ Signaling and Apela in Different Types of Cancer

Proteomic Analysis of Biomarkers Predicting Treatment Response in Patients with Head and Neck Cancers

Head and neck cancers (HNCs) are the sixth most commonly diagnosed cancer and the eighth leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide, with squamous cell carcinoma being the most prevalent type. The global incidence of HNCs is steadily increasing, projected to rise by approximately 30% per year by 2030, a trend observed in both developed and undeveloped countries. This study involved serum proteomic profiling to identify predictive clinical biomarkers in cancer patients undergoing chemoradiotherapy (CRT). Fifteen HNC patients at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital, Radiotherapy (RT) center in Addis Ababa were enrolled. Serum samples were collected before and after RT, and patients were classified as responders (R) or non-responders (NR). Protein concentrations in the serum were determined using the Bradford assay, followed by nano-HPLC-MS/MS for protein profiling. Progenesis QI for proteomics identified 55 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) between R and NR, with a significance of p < 0.05 and a fold-change (FC) ≥ 1.5. The top five-up-regulated proteins included MAD1L1, PSMC2, TRIM29, C5, and SERPING1, while the top five-down-regulated proteins were RYR1, HEY2, HIF1A, TF, and CNN3. Notably, about 16.4% of the DEPs were involved in cellular responses to DNA damage from cancer treatments, encompassing proteins related to deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) damage sensing, checkpoint activation, DNA repair, and apoptosis/cell cycle regulation. The analysis of the relative abundance of ten proteins with high confidence scores identified three DEPs: ADIPOQ, HEY2, and FUT10 as potential predictive biomarkers for treatment response. This study highlighted the identification of three potential predictive biomarkers-ADIPOQ, HEY2, and FUT10-through serum proteomic profiling in HNC patients undergoing RT, emphasizing their significance in predicting treatment response.

Reciprocal Interactions Between Apelin and Noncoding RNAs in Cancer Progression

Apelin, a bioactive peptide that serves as an endogenous ligand for the apelin receptor (APJ), is overexpressed in various types of cancers and contributes to cancer cell proliferation, viability, migration, angiogenesis, and metastasis, as well as immune deviation. Noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) regulate gene expression, and there is growing evidence suggesting a bidirectional crosstalk between ncRNAs (including long noncoding RNAs [lncRNAs], circular RNAs [circRNAs], and microRNAs [miRNAs]) and apelin in cancers. Certain miRNAs can directly target the apelin and inhibit its expression, thereby suppressing tumor growth. It has been indicated that miR-224, miR-195/miR-195-5p, miR-204-5p, miR-631, miR-4286, miR-637, miR-4493, and miR-214-3p target apelin mRNA and influence its expression in prostate cancer, lung cancer, esophageal cancer, chondrosarcoma, melanoma, gastric cancer, glioma, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), respectively. Moreover, circ-NOTCH1, circ-ZNF264, and lncRNA BACE1-AS upregulate apelin expression in gastric cancer, glioma, and HCC, respectively. On the other hand, apelin has been shown to regulate the expression of certain ncRNAs to affect tumorigenesis. It was revealed that apelin affects the expression of circ_0000004/miR-1303, miR-15a-5p, and miR-106a-5p in osteosarcoma, lung cancer, and prostate cancer, respectively. This review explains a bidirectional interplay between ncRNAs and apelin in cancers to provide insights concerning the molecular mechanisms underlying this crosstalk and potential implications for cancer therapy.

Integrated analysis of differently expressed microRNAs and mRNAs at different postnatal stages reveals intramuscular fat deposition regulation in goats (Capra hircus)

Intramuscular fat refers to the adipose tissue distributed in the muscle. It is an important indicator that affects the quality of goat meat, and can directly affect the tenderness and flavor of goat meat. Our previous study revealed the mRNA that may be crucial for intramuscular fat deposition during goat growth; however, how the microRNAs (miRNAs) are involved in the process is largely unclear. In the present study, a total of 401 known miRNAs and 120 goat novel miRNAs, including 110 differentially expressed (DE) miRNAs, were identified among longissimus dorsi from three growth stages (2, 9, and 24 months) by miRNA sequencing. Combining analysis of the DE mRNAs and DE miRNAs was then performed by miRDB and miRwalk, and miR-145-5p and FOXO1, miR-487b-3p, and PPARG coactivator 1 α (PPARGC1A), miR-345-3p, and solute carrier family 2 member 4 (SLC2A4), etc. were shown to closely associate with lipid metabolism, which was then validated by a correlation analysis. The final DE mRNAs were significantly enriched in fatty acid transmembrane transport, fatty acid homeostasis, apelin signaling pathway, glucagon signaling pathway, insulin signaling pathway, and AMPK signaling pathway by gene ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analysis. Besides, miR-145-5p showed a certain effect on goat intramuscular fat metabolism by acting on the possible target gene Forkhead Box O1 (FOXO1). These data provide some theoretical support for improving the quality of goat meat.

ELABELA-APJ Axis Enhances Mesenchymal Stem Cell Proliferation and Migration via the METTL3/PI3K/AKT Pathway

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) possess a strong therapeutic potential in regenerative medicine. ELABELA (ELA) is a 32 amino acid peptide that binds to the apelin peptide jejunum receptor (APJ) to regulate cell proliferation and migration. The aim of this study was to investigate the function of ELA vis-a-vis the MSC proliferation and migration, and further explore the underlying mechanism. We demonstrated that the exogenous supplement of ELA boosts the proliferation and migration ability of MSCs, alongside improved in vitro cell viability. These capabilities were rendered moot upon APJ knockdown. In addition, ELA (5-20 μM) was shown to upregulate the expression of METTL3 in a concentrationdependent pattern, a capacity which was suppressed by APJ reduction, whereas the downregulation of METTL3 expression blocked the beneficial effects induced by ELA. ELA was also observed to upregulate the phosphorylation level of AKT. This ELA-induced activation of the PI3K/AKT pathway, however, is inhibited with knockdown of METTL3. Our data indicate that ELA could act as a promoter of MSC proliferation and migration in vitro through the APJ receptor, something which might be attributed to the activation of the METTL3/PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. Therefore, ELA is a candidate for optimizing MSC-based cell therapy, while METTL3 is a potential target for its promoting action on MSCs.

Advances in the study of ELABELA in renal physiological functions and related diseases

ELABELA (ELA), also known as Toddler or Apela, is a novel endogenous ligand of the angiotensin receptor AT1-related receptor protein (APJ). ELA is highly expressed in human embryonic, cardiac, and renal tissues and involves various biological functions, such as embryonic development, blood circulation regulation, and maintaining body fluid homeostasis. ELA is also closely related to the occurrence and development of acute kidney injury, hypertensive kidney damage, diabetic nephropathy, renal tumors, and other diseases. Understanding the physiological role of ELA and its mechanism of action in kidney-related diseases would provide new targets and directions for the clinical treatment of kidney diseases.

Role of Leptin and Adiponectin in Carcinogenesis

Hormones produced by adipocytes, leptin and adiponectin, are associated with the process of carcinogenesis. Both of these adipokines have well-proven oncologic potential and can affect many aspects of tumorigenesis, from initiation and primary tumor growth to metastatic progression. Involvement in the formation of cancer includes interactions with the tumor microenvironment and its components, such as tumor-associated macrophages, cancer-associated fibroblasts, extracellular matrix and matrix metalloproteinases. Furthermore, these adipokines participate in the epithelial-mesenchymal transition and connect to angiogenesis, which is critical for cancer invasiveness and cancer cell migration. In addition, an enormous amount of evidence has demonstrated that altered concentrations of these adipocyte-derived hormones and the expression of their receptors in tumors are associated with poor prognosis in various types of cancer. Therefore, leptin and adiponectin dysfunction play a prominent role in cancer and impact tumor invasion and metastasis in different ways. This review clearly and comprehensively summarizes the recent findings and presents the role of leptin and adiponectin in cancer initiation, promotion and progression, focusing on associations with the tumor microenvironment and its components as well as roles in the epithelial-mesenchymal transition and angiogenesis.

The Role of Selected Adipocytokines in Ovarian Cancer and Endometrial Cancer

Due to their multidirectional influence, adipocytokines are currently the subject of numerous intensive studies. Significant impact applies to many processes, both physiological and pathological. Moreover, the role of adipocytokines in carcinogenesis seems particularly interesting and not fully understood. For this reason, ongoing research focuses on the role of these compounds in the network of interactions in the tumor microenvironment. Particular attention should be drawn to cancers that remain challenging for modern gynecological oncology-ovarian and endometrial cancer. This paper presents the role of selected adipocytokines, including leptin, adiponectin, visfatin, resistin, apelin, chemerin, omentin and vaspin in cancer, with a particular focus on ovarian and endometrial cancer, and their potential clinical relevance.

Structure-function relationship and physiological role of apelin and its G protein coupled receptor

Apelin receptor (APJR) is a class A peptide (apelin) binding G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) that plays a significant role in regulating blood pressure, cardiac output, and maintenance of fluid homeostasis. It is activated by a wide range of endogenous peptide isoforms of apelin and elabela. The apelin peptide isoforms contain distinct structural features that aid in ligand recognition and activation of the receptor. Site-directed mutagenesis and structure-based studies have revealed the involvement of extracellular and transmembrane regions of the receptor in binding to the peptide isoforms. The structural features of APJR activation of the receptor as well as mediating G-protein and β-arrestin-mediated signaling are delineated by multiple mutagenesis studies. There is increasing evidence that the structural requirements of APJR to activate G-proteins and β-arrestins are different, leading to biased signaling. APJR also responds to mechanical stimuli in a ligand-independent manner. A multitude of studies has focused on developing both peptide and non-peptide agonists and antagonists specific to APJR. Apelin/elabela-activated APJR orchestrates major signaling pathways such as extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERKs), protein kinase B (PKB/Akt), and p70S. This review focuses on the structural and functional characteristics of apelin, elabela, APJR, and their interactions involved in the binding and activation of the downstream signaling cascade. We also focus on the diverse signaling profile of APJR and its ligands and their involvement in various physiological systems.

Apelin promotes osteosarcoma metastasis by upregulating PLOD2 expression via the Hippo signaling pathway and hsa_circ_0000004/miR-1303 axis

Osteosarcoma is a highly mortal bone tumor, with a high metastatic potential, promoted in part by the enzyme procollagen-lysine 2-oxoglutarate 5-dioxygenase 2 (PLOD2). Increasing level of PLOD2 in osteosarcoma tissue correlates with lymphatic and distant metastasis. The adipokine apelin (APLN) is also found in different cancers and APLN upregulation promotes angiogenesis and metastasis, but its effects on osteosarcoma metastasis are uncertain. We explored APLN functioning in metastatic osteosarcoma. An analysis of records from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database showed higher levels of APLN expression in osteosarcoma tissue than in normal tissue. Similarly, levels of APLN and PLOD2 mRNA synthesis were upregulated in osteosarcoma tissue. Levels of APLN and PLOD2 protein correlated positively with osteosarcoma clinical stages. APLN increased PLOD2 expression in human osteosarcoma cell lines and cell migration via the mammalian Sterile 20-like kinase 1 (MST1), monopolar spindle-one-binder protein (MOB)1, and YAP cascades, and through hsa_circ_0000004 functioning as a sponge of miR-1303. We also found that knockdown of APLN antagonized lung metastasis in mice with osteosarcoma. APLN may be a therapeutic target in osteosarcoma metastasis.

Apelin-13 Improves Cognitive Impairment and Repairs Hippocampal Neuronal Damage by Activating PGC-1α/PPARγ Signaling

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a complex neurodegenerative disease that is prevalent around the world. Both Apelin-13 and proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPARγ)/PPARγ co-activator 1α (PGC-1α) are regarded as candidate targets for treating AD. The investigation examined whether Apelin-13 exerts neuroprotective effects via PGC-1α/PPARγ signaling. In this study, Apelin-13 improved cognitive deficits in AD mice, while SR-18,292 (a PGC-1α inhibitor) interfered with the therapeutic effects of Apelin-13. Mechanistically, Apelin-13, PGC-1α and PPARγ were decreased in AD mice and oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD)-induced neuronal cells. Apelin-13 bound to PGC-1α and negatively regulated the expression of PGC-1α and PPARγ. In turn, PGC-1α accelerated the accumulation of Apelin-13 and PPARγ. Additionally, neuronal apoptosis was inhibited, and the abundance of apoptosis-related proteins (Bax, Bcl-2, and cleaved caspase 3) was induced. The content of reactive oxygen species (ROS), malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) fluctuated. The level of inflammatory factors (interleukin-6, IL-6, IL-10, tumor necrosis factor-α, TNF-α) was regulated. In short, Apelin-13 exerted anti-apoptosis, anti-oxidant stress and anti-inflammatory effects. Interestingly, PGC-1α silencing promoted neuronal apoptosis, oxidant stress and inflammation, and overexpression of PGC-1α exhibited the opposite. More importantly, inhibition of PGC-1α attenuated Apelin-13-enhanced cognitive impairment and neuronal damage. Therefore, our findings suggested that Apelin-13 exerted neuroprotective effects in part via the PGC-1α/PPARγ pathway.

Research progress of apelin in acute ischemic brain injury

Acute ischemic brain injury is a cerebrovascular disease with high clinical incidence. An increasing number of preclinical evidence has verified the complex interaction between autophagy disorder and mitochondrial damage. Endoplasmic reticulum stress, oxidative stress and excessive neuroinflammation are the main mechanisms of the neural injury induced by acute cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury. Apelin and its receptors are widely distributed in various tissues and organs in the human body. Increasing evidence has suggested that apelin has a neuroprotective effect against excitatory toxicity injury, oxidative stress injury and induction of neuronal apoptosis, and it can play a neuroprotective role after acute cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury. This review summarizes the progress of the neuroprotective effects and mechanisms of apelin, aiming to provide evidence for its therapeutic potential.

Elabela Peptide: An Emerging Target in Therapeutics

Elabela, a bioactive micropeptide, is recognized as the second endogenous ligand for the Apelin receptor and is widely distributed in different tissues and organs. Elabela plays an important role in various physiological processes, such as blood pressure control, heart morphogenesis, apoptosis, angiogenesis, cell proliferation, migration, etc. Elabela is also implicated in pathological conditions, like cardiac dysfunctions, heart failure, hypertension, kidney diseases, cancer and CNS disorders. The association of Elabela with these disease conditions makes it a potential target for their therapy. This review summarizes the physiological role of Elabela peptide as well as its implication in various disease conditions.

Apelin, a Circulating Biomarker in Cancer Evaluation: A Systematic Review

Apelin is a promising biomarker for the detection and prognosis of cancer. This review aims to synthesize current knowledge on associations of circulating apelin with cancer, illustrate knowledge gaps, and discuss future research. Following PRISMA guidelines, CINAHL, EMBASE, and PubMed were searched using terms “cancer AND apelin” between 2011 and 2021, full text, and English language. Inclusion criteria: measured circulating apelin in adults 18 years or older with cancer, and observational, cross-sectional, longitudinal, case–control, cohort, quasi-experimental, or randomized control trials. Excluded were studies with animal models, tissue samples only, secondary data analyses, systematic reviews, literature reviews, grey literature, and conference abstracts. 16 articles were included. There were significant variations in measurement methods between studies. Comparison of circulating apelin between cases and controls and associations of circulating apelin with clinicopathological characteristics were inconsistent. Variations in results suggest that the relationship between circulating apelin and cancer differs among cancer types. Differences in measurement methods between studies highlight the need for consistency in future research to draw meaningful conclusions. Future research should seek to standardize methods of detecting circulating apelin and examine its associations with specific cancer types to determine what role that circulating apelin may play in cancer development and progression.

Value of Immunohistochemical Expression of Apelin, Succinate Dehydrogenase B, Chromogranin B, Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor-2, Contactin 4, and Succinyl-CoA Synthetase Subunit Beta in Differentiating Metastatic From Non-Metastatic Pheochromocytoma and Paraganglioma

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to retrospectively collect pathologically identified pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma (PPGL) tumor tissues from our center and investigate the expression of apelin and succinyl-CoA synthetase subunit beta (SUCLG2), human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2 or ERBB-2), contactin 4 (CNTN4), chromogranin B (CHGB), and succinate dehydrogenase B (SDHB) in metastatic and non-metastatic PPGLs, for exploring their roles in the diagnosis of metastatic PPGLs.

METHODS

A total of 369 patients with pathologically and surgically confirmed PPGLs at Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, between June 2010 and June 2020 were retrospectively included. Sixty patients-12 patients with metastatic PPGLs and 48 patients with non-metastatic PPGLs-were selected through propensity score matching (1:4) to reduce the effect of PPGL type, sex, and age. We observed and quantified the expression of apelin, SDHB, CHGB, ERBB-2, CNTN4, and SUCLG2 in paraffin-embedded samples using immunohistochemical staining.

RESULTS

No significant differences were observed between the metastatic group and non-metastatic group with respect to the expression of CNTN4 and SUCLG2. The expression of apelin, SDHB, CHGB, and ERBB-2 was significantly different between the two groups. The expression of apelin, SDHB, and CHGB was significantly lower in the metastatic group than that in the non-metastatic group (P < 0.001). ERBB-2 expression was significantly higher in the metastatic group than in the non-metastatic group (P = 0.042). Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed that patients with negative expression of apelin, SDHB, and CHGB showed significantly lower metastasis-free survival than those with positive expression. Multivariate Cox analysis revealed that SDHB and CHGB levels were independently associated with metastasis-free survival.

CONCLUSION

The expression levels of apelin, CHGB, SDHB, and ERBB-2 may be predictive biomarkers for the diagnosis of metastatic PPGLs. Patients with negative expression of apelin, CHGB, and SDHB should be subjected to frequent postoperative follow-up procedures.