Furthermore, apelin (10−6 M) treatment promoted autophagy in AD-MSCs under hypoxia (increased ratio of LC3II/I and decreased p62 protein levels compared with the non-apelin treated group (Fig. 5C,D), while the elevated autophagy in AD-MSCs under H/R was abrogated by apelin (10−6 M) treatment (manifested as the decreased ratio of LC3II/I and increased p62 protein level compared with non-apelin-treated group) (Fig. 5C,D). The gene discussed is APLN; the disease is Alzheimer disease.