Receptor selectivity of natriuretic peptide family, atrial natriuretic peptide, brain natriuretic peptide, and C-type natriuretic peptide.

To elucidate the ligand-receptor relationship of the natriuretic peptide system, which comprises at least three endogenous ligands, atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), and C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP), and three receptors, the ANP-A receptor or guanylate cyclase-A (GC-A), the ANP-B receptor or guanylate cyclase-B (GC-B), and the clearance receptor (C-receptor), we characterized the receptor preparations from human, bovine, and rat tissues and cultured cells with the aid of the binding assay, Northern blot technique, and the cGMP production method. Using these receptor preparations, we examined the binding affinities of ANP, BNP, and CNP for the C-receptor and their potencies for cGMP production via the ANP-A receptor (GC-A) and the ANP-B receptor (GC-B). These analyses revealed the presence of a marked species difference in the receptor selectivity of the natriuretic peptide family, especially among BNPs. Therefore, we investigated the receptor selectivity of the natriuretic peptide family using the homologous assay system with endogenous ligands and receptors of the same species. The rank order of binding affinity for the C-receptor was ANP greater than CNP greater than BNP in both humans and rats. The rank order of potency for cGMP production via the ANP-A receptor (GC-A) was ANP greater than or equal to BNP much greater than CNP, but that via the ANP-B receptor (GC-B) was CNP greater than ANP greater than or equal to BNP. These findings on the receptor selectivity of the natriuretic peptide family provide a new insight into the understanding of the physiological and clinical implications of the natriuretic peptide system.     

Phorbol ester and atrial natriuretic peptide receptor response on vascular smooth muscle.

At least two types of receptors for natriuretic peptides have been reported: biologically active receptors coupled with guanylate cyclase (atrial natriuretic peptide [ANP]-B receptors) and clearance receptors (ANP-C receptors). To elucidate the role of protein kinase C (PKC) in the regulation of ANP-B receptors, vascular smooth muscle cells in culture were treated with phorbol ester. Incubation with receptor agonists and phorbol ester led to the desensitization of receptor-mediated cyclic guanosine monophosphate (ANP-B receptor response) in rat vascular smooth muscle cells. Although a PKC inhibitor and downregulation of PKC by long-term incubation of cells with phorbol esters blocked the phorbol ester-induced desensitization of the ANP-B receptor response, they did not block the ANP-induced desensitization of the ANP-B receptor response. In addition, when desensitization by phorbol esters was observed, ANP was still capable of desensitization. These observations suggest that the mechanism for regulating ANP-B receptor sensitivity may be both PKC-dependent and PKC-independent and mediated by phorbol esters and ANP, respectively.     

高盐负荷对高血压大鼠主动脉平滑肌细胞及肾皮质的心钠素受体基因mRNA表达的影响

成年卒中型自发性高血压大鼠（SHRsp）与正常大鼠（WKY）各32只,分为高盐组与对照组。高盐组从8周开始喂1.8％盐水。两组大鼠12周时从主动脉平滑肌（ASM）与肾皮质（KC）中提取总RNA。应用RT-PCR技术对心钠素A、B型受体mRNA水平分别进行比较。结果显示,（1）ASM中,高血压大鼠心钠素A、B型受体mRNA水平分别为正常大鼠的2.2倍和1.6倍;（2）高盐负荷引起两种大鼠ASM中的A型受体mRNA明显下降（SHRsp降低53％;WKY降低23％）,而B型受体mRNA水平明显升高（SHRsp升高69％;WKY升高29％）,（3）肾皮质的心钠素受体mRNA水平,在高盐负荷前后及两种大鼠之间均未发现显著性差异。结果说明,高血压大鼠ASM的心钠素受体基因表达增加,高盐引起该受体基因转录调控的改变,可能是高盐导致血压升高的机制之一。     

Role of the natriuretic peptide system in lipogenesis/lipolysis

AIM: There is recent evidence that the natriuretic peptide (NP) system promotes adipose tissue lipolysis in primates. This effect is mediated by the interaction of NP with its active receptors through guanylyl cyclase activation and cGMP production. This review will briefly focus on the new aspects of NP pathophysiology in man. DATA SYNTHESIS: NP receptors have been described in rodent adipocytes, and the expression of their mRNA is found in human adipose tissue together with high level of ANP binding sites. In isolated fat cells, atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) were able to stimulate lipolysis as much as isoproterenol, a non-selective beta-adrenergic receptor agonist, whereas C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) had the lowest lipolytic effect. The potent lipolytic effect of NP has also been confirmed in samples of abdominal adipose tissue from healthy subjects. The potency order of the lipolytic effect (ANP > BNP > CNP) and ANP-induced cGMP production supported the presence of type A natriuretic peptide receptor in human fat cells. The effect of NP on lipid metabolism is confirmed by the fact that intravenous ANP infusion is followed by plasma NEFA and glycerol concentration increase (reflecting lipid mobilisation). CONCLUSIONS: The NP system seems to play an important role in lipid metabolism, possibly affecting the pathophysiology of obesity and obesity-related disorders, such hypertension. Further studies, however, are needed to completely establish the mechanisms involved in NP-induced lipolysis and the real relevance of this new pathway specific of primates.     

The genetic contribution of the natriuretic peptide system to cardiovascular diseases

Three types of natriuretic peptides (NP) have been isolated: atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), and C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP). The NP family elicits a number of vascular, renal and endocrine effects that help to maintain blood pressure and extracellular fluid volume. These effects are mediated by the specific binding of NP to cell surface receptors that have been characterized, purified and cloned from cells of the vasculature, kidney, adrenal gland and brain. There are 3 subtypes of NP receptors: type A natriuretic peptide receptor (NPRA), type B natriuretic peptide receptor (NPRB), and type C natriuretic peptide receptor (NPRC). All 3 subtypes affect cellular second messenger activity. NPRA and NPRB are guanylyl cyclase receptors, and their activation increases cGMP levels. Activation of NPRC results in inhibition of adenylyl cyclase activity. Human NPRA has a high structural homology with human NPRB, and contains a highly-conserved guanylyl cyclase domain. ANP and BNP bind primarily to NPRA, which is found in the vasculature, causing vasodilation and inhibition of vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation. The present paper contains a review of NPs and their receptors and the genetic contribution of the NP system to cardiovascular diseases such as essential hypertension and myocardial infarction.     

Natriuretic peptide family]

The natriuretic peptide system consists of at least three endogenous ligands: atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP), and three receptors, ANP-A receptor (guanylate cyclase A), ANP-B receptor (guanylate cyclase B) and clearance receptor (C receptor). ANP, the prototype of natriuretic peptides, is mainly produced in the atrium and secreted into the circulation as a cardiac hormone. ANP is also produced in the ventricle and in the central nervous system. BNP, first isolated from the porcine brain, has a marked divergence in its molecular size and sequence among species. In humans and rats, the major site of production of BNP is the ventricle of the heart. BNP is also secreted into the circulation as a cardiac hormone. The plasma BNP level in normal subjects is approximately one sixths of the plasma ANP level; however, the plasma BNP level markedly increases in heart failure, renal failure and hypertension and the augmentation of the BNP secretion is much larger than that of the ANP secretion. In addition, clearance of BNP from the circulation is slower than that of ANP. Furthermore, BNP is secreted more urgently than ANP in acute heart failure. CNP distributes mainly in the central nervous system and pituitary gland. No significant amount of CNP is detectable in the heart and plasma. Thus, CNP is a local regulator rather than a cardiac hormone. Three natriuretic receptors have ligand selectivity.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Expression of receptors for atrial natriuretic peptide on the murine bone marrow-derived stromal cells.

Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) receptors were identified on both murine bone marrow-derived stromal cell lines A-3 and ALC and primary cultured cells using [125I]ANP binding assays and Northern blot analyses. The binding of [125I] ANP to the stromal cells was rapid, saturable, and of high affinity. The dissociation constants between ANP and its receptors on these cells showed no difference among cell types, while maximal binding capacity values were different among cell types. Competitive inhibition of [125I]ANP binding with C-atrial natriuretic factor, specific for ANP clearance receptor (ANPR-C), revealed that most of [125I]ANP-binding sites corresponded to ANPR-C. Northern blotting data corroborated that bone marrow-derived stromal cells expressed ANPR-C. However, in ALC cells, ANP biological receptors (either ANPR-A or ANPR-B), the mol wt of which is approximately 130K, were detected, and cGMP was accumulated after stimulation with ANP. On the other hand, in another stromal cell clone, A-3 cells, the expression of biological receptor was not detected in the affinity cross-linking and competitive inhibition experiments using [125I]ANP. However, A-3 cells accumulated cGMP by responding to ANPR-B-specific ligand, C-type natriuretic peptide. These results suggest that ALC cells equally express ANPR-A and ANPR-B, while A-3 cells express ANPR-B dominantly. Although the physiological roles of these receptors in the bone marrow is still not resolved, ANP is expected to play a role in the regulation of stromal cell functions in bone marrow.     

Spatiotemporal regulation of the two atrial natriuretic peptide receptors in testis

By interacting with a guanylyl cyclase (GC) activity-containing receptor, termed GC-A, atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) acts as a regulator of blood pressure and fluid volume homeostasis. High expression levels of GC-A in the testis and reported effects of ANP on testosterone secretion by Leydig cells are indicative of important local functions in this organ. Here we show, based on radioligand receptor labeling and immunological approaches, that seminiferous tubules rather than Leydig cells are the predominant GC-A expression sites in the rat testis. Functional activity was proved by ANP- induced cGMP accumulation in isolated seminiferous tubules. Although ontogenetic studies revealed a massive increase in GC-A levels during sexual maturation, the so-called natriuretic peptide clearance receptor, another type of ANP receptor proposed to locally control the availability of natriuretic peptides, was found to be expressed predominantly before puberty, exceeding the level of GC-A expression at this time. Natriuretic peptide clearance receptor also shows a distinct distribution pattern surrounding the seminiferous tubules. These findings raise the possibility of novel physiological roles for ANP and cGMP in the testis related to germ cell maturation and/or the regulation of the onset of puberty and suggest that the two ANP receptors function in a coordinated manner at this target organ.     

Atrial natriuretic peptide: binding and cyclic GMP response in cultured vascular smooth muscle cells from spontaneously hypertensive rats

Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) is vasodilatory and natriuretic, but whereas increased plasma ANP levels occur in spontaneously hypertensive rats, their elevated vascular resistance suggests inappropriate target tissue responsiveness to ANP. This study examines ANP-receptor binding properties (at 25 degrees C and 4 degrees C) in cultured vascular aortic smooth muscle cells from spontaneously hypertensive (SHR) and control Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats. [I125]-human ANP saturation (0.0625-12.0 nmol) profiles were analyzed using nonlinear regression (LIGAND). Vascular smooth muscle cells from WKY possessed both high affinity (KD1 0.3 nmol; R1 33 fmol/10(5) cells) and low affinity (KD2 15 nmol; R2 400 fmol/10(5) cells) binding sites for ANP. In contrast, for smooth muscle cells from SHR, two receptor forms could not be resolved using identical analytical protocols. Parameter estimates at 25 degrees C and 4 degrees C were not different for either SHR or WKY. The number of receptors for SHR (Bmax approximately 100 fmol/10(5) cells) was lower than the total number of receptors for WKY (high plus low affinity approximately 430 fmol/10(5) cells). The intermediary KD value (approximately 1.0 nmol) for ANP binding in SHR suggests an ANP-receptor interconversion from high affinity to low affinity in smooth muscle cells from SHR. Competition-binding experiments also revealed a decreased affinity for ANP in SHR-derived smooth muscle cells. The cyclic GMP response (intracellular accumulation and extracellular levels) was decreased in SHR smooth muscle cells compared to WKY, although this difference was evident only after prolonged (one hour) stimulation with ANP. Our data indicate a reduced sustained vascular responsiveness to ANP in hypertension.     

C-type natriuretic peptide induces redifferentiation of vascular smooth muscle cells with accelerated reendothelialization

We recently reported that C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) occurs in vascular endothelial cells and acts as a vascular-type natriuretic peptide. In the present study, we stimulated the cGMP cascade in proliferating smooth muscle cells (SMCs), in which particulate guanylate cyclase-B, the specific receptor for CNP, is predominantly expressed, by use of an adenovirus encoding rat CNP cDNA (Ad.CNP). In the Ad.CNP-treated cultured SMCs, CNP caused the growth inhibition of SMCs at G(1) phase with an early increase of p21(CIP1/WAF1) expression and subsequent upregulation of p16(INK4a). The expression of smooth muscle myosin heavy chain-2, which is the molecular marker of highly differentiated SMCs, was reinduced in the Ad.CNP-treated SMCs. The Ad.CNP-treated SMCs also reexpressed particulate guanylate cyclase-A, which shows high affinity to atrial and brain natriuretic peptide and is exclusively expressed in well-differentiated SMCs. CNP, which was overexpressed in rabbit femoral arteries in vivo at the time of balloon injury, significantly suppressed neointimal formation. Furthermore, an enhancement of the expression of smooth muscle myosin heavy chain-2 occurred in the residual neointima. In addition, early regeneration of endothelial cells was observed in the Ad.CNP-infected group. Thus, stimulation of cGMP cascade in proliferating dedifferentiated SMCs can induce growth inhibition and redifferentiation of SMCs with accelerated reendothelialization.     

C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) effects in anterior pituitary cell lines: evidence for homologous desensitisation of CNP-stimulated cGMP accumulation in alpha T3-1 gonadotroph-derived cells

C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP), the third member of the natriuretic peptide family, has been found at its highest tissue concentrations in the anterior pituitary, where it is localised in gonadotrophs. Its specific guanylyl cyclase-containing receptor, GC-B, is also expressed on several anterior pituitary cell types, and CNP potently stimulates cGMP accumulation in rat pituitary cell cultures and pituitary cell lines. The mouse gonadotroph-derived alpha T3-1 cell line has been shown to express CNP as well as GC-B (but not GC-A) receptors, suggesting that CNP may well be an autocrine regulator of gonadotrophs. Comparing effects of three natriuretic peptides (atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and CNP) on cGMP accumulation in four pituitary cell lines (alpha T3-1, TtT-GF, AtT-20 and GH(3)) we find that CNP is most potent and effective in alpha T3-1 cells. In these cells, CNP-stimulated cGMP accumulation was found to desensitise during a 30 min exposure to CNP. Pretreatment with CNP for up to 6 h also caused a significant reduction in the ability of CNP to subsequently stimulate cGMP accumulation. This effect was receptor specific, because pretreatment with sodium nitroprusside (an activator of nitric oxide-sensitive guanylyl cyclase), or with ANP or BNP, did not cause desensitisation of CNP-stimulated cGMP accumulation. Protein kinase C activation with phorbol esters also inhibited CNP-stimulated cGMP accumulation and such inhibition was also seen in cells desensitised by pretreatment with CNP. Thus it appears that the endogenous GC-B receptors of alpha T3-1 cells are subject to both homologous and heterologous desensitisation, that the mechanisms underlying these forms of desensitisation are distinct, and that cGMP elevation alone is insufficient to desensitise GC-B receptors.     

Natriuretic peptides suppress vascular endothelial cell growth factor signaling to angiogenesis

Vascular endothelial cell growth factor (VEGF) is essential for angiogenesis. Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) inhibits the production of VEGF, but whether this important vascular peptide also inter- rupts VEGF signaling to angiogenesis is unknown. In cultured bovine aortic endothelial cells, VEGF significantly stimulated extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase activity and phosphorylation, which was inhibited 60% by coincubation with ANP or a natriuretic peptide clearance receptor specific ligand (NPRC), C-type NAP-(4-23) [C-ANP-(4-23)]. VEGF also stimulated c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and p38 activities/phosphorylation that were prevented by the two natriuretic peptides (NP). A specific NP guanylate cyclase (GC) receptor antagonist, HS-142-1, blocked the actions of ANP [but not those of C-ANP-(4-23)], supporting the involvement of both GC and NPRC receptors. VEGF and expression of constituitively active JNK each stimulated the synthesis of cyclin D1 and increased the activity of the cyclin-dependent kinase-4, which was inhibited 55% by ANP. VEGF induced endothelial cell proliferation and migration, which was significantly blocked by NP or by expressing a dominant negative JNK-1. VEGF stimulated human microvascular endothelial cells to form capillary tubes, which was significantly inhibited by expressing dominant negative JNK-1 and by NP. Therefore, VEGF induction of critical steps in angiogenesis is enhanced through JNK activation. The actions are significantly prevented by NP, which act through both the NPRC and GC receptors to block growth factor signaling. Thus, NP are candidate antiangiogenesis factors that inhibit both the synthesis and function of VEGF.     

Antiproliferative action of cyclic GMP-elevating vasodilators in cultured rabbit aortic smooth muscle cells

In cultured rabbit aortic smooth muscle cells (SMCs), sodium nitroprusside (SNP) (10(-7) to 10(-4) M), atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) (10(-9) to 10(-6) M) and 8-bromo-cyclic GMP (10(-6) to 10(-3) M) inhibited the whole blood serum (WBS)-induced DNA synthesis by about 30%. The doses of SNP and ANP necessary for the inhibition of the WBS-induced DNA synthesis were similar to those necessary for the formation of cellular cyclic GMP (cGMP). These agents were effective even when added 6 h after stimulation of the cells with WBS. These results suggest that cGMP inhibits the proliferation of rabbit aortic SMCs by inhibiting the progression from the G1 into S phase of the cell cycle and raise the possibility that cGMP-elevating vasodilators may suppress the atherogenic process by inhibiting vascular SMC proliferation.