Immunocytochemical localization of the endogenous vasoactive peptide apelin to human vascular and endocardial endothelial cells

MJ Kleinz, AP Davenport - Regulatory peptides, 2004 - Elsevier
Apelin, the proposed endogenous peptide ligand of the novel G-protein-coupled receptor
APJ, has been shown to possess potent vasodilator and positive inotropic effects in rats and
humans in vivo. However, in humans, no endogenous source of apelin has been reported.
Therefore, based on the presence of APJ and mRNA encoding apelin in human tissues, we
investigated the expression of apelin in fresh-frozen human tissue from right atrium, left
ventricle, lung, kidney, adrenal and large conduit vessels using immunocytochemistry …