A Review of the Roles of Apelin and ELABELA Peptide Ligands in Cardiovascular Disease, Including Heart Failure and Hypertension.

Apelin and ELABELA (ELA), which are peptides belonging to the adipokines group, are endogenous peptide ligands of their receptor, APJ, which together constitute the apelinergic system. The apelinergic system is expressed in numerous human tissues and organs, including the heart, blood vessels, adipose tissue, central nervous system, lungs, kidneys, and liver. Apelin, being the most widely studied member of the apelinergic system, plays a key role in the cardiovascular system and exerts a pleiotropic effect in tissues.