Apelin receptor (APJ) is a G protein-coupled receptor whose endogenous ligands include Apelin and Elabela (ELA), forming the Apelin/APJ and ELA/APJ signaling axes. Recent studies have shown that Apelin and ELA play a critical regulatory role in the development of hypertension through mechanisms such as modulating vascular tone, exerting anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, and inhibiting the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS). This article systematically reviews the mechanisms of the Apelin/APJ and ELA/APJ systems in hypertension, focusing on their effects on vascular endothelial function, smooth muscle proliferation, RAAS regulation, oxidative stress, and inflammatory responses. It further explores their potential as novel therapeutic targets for hypertension, aiming to provide a theoretical basis for understanding the pathogenesis of hypertension and for the development of new antihypertensive drugs.
Tian et al. (Thu,) studied this question.