The apelin-APJ pathway exists in cardiomyogenic cells derived from mesenchymal stem cells in vitro and in vivo.

Our previous study demonstrated that apelin level increased significantly after the treatment of intracoronary implantation of bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMMCs), followed by the improvement of cardiac function in patients with severe ischemic heart failure. The present studies both in vivo and in vitro explored whether mesenchymal stem cells derived from bone marrow (BMSCs) activate the apelin-APJ pathway when differentiating into cardiomyogenic cells. Isolated BMSCs from rat femurs and tibias were cultured and expanded for three passages, labeled with DAPI, and treated with 5-azacytidine (5-AZ).