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Medical AI Inquiry: You was designed to assist in medical decision-making based on the provided user questions. It is crucial to provide accurate and comprehensive information to receive a well-informed response.  Labels: OBJECTIVE, METHODS, RESULTS. Meshes: Angiography, Animals, Apelin, Apelin Receptors, Carcinoma, Hepatocellular, Disease Models, Animal, Gene Expression, Humans, Immunohistochemistry, Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins, Liver Neoplasms, Mice, Neovascularization, Pathologic, Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled, Tumor Burden.
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Does the apelin-APJ system induce tumor arteriogenesis in hepatocellular carcinoma? Context: The apelin-APJ system regulates angiogenesis, and is overexpressed in several types of cancer. The aim of this study was to clarify the role of the apelin-APJ system in the angiogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Expressions of angiogenic factors and vascular markers were investigated in specimens from 90 HCC patients. A subcutaneous HCC tumor mouse model was treated with the APJ antagonist, F13A, and tumor growth and vascular development were assessed. APJ expression was observed in arteriole-smooth muscle. Higher amounts of APJ(+)-arteriole and apelin were detected in tumors (p<0.001 for both). APJ(+)-arteriole and apelin expression were more commonly observed in moderately- and poorly-differentiated than in well-differentiated HCC (p ≤ 0.003). HCC with irregular dilated arteries expressed higher levels of apelin (p=0.012). Tumor growth was inhibited by treatment with F13A (p<0.001), and arterioles were decreased in the treated group (p=0.047), in vivo.
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Apelin-APJ is overexpressed, and works as a signal for arteriogenesis in HCC. Final Decision: yes