Atrial natriuretic peptide receptors in human endometrial stromal cells.

Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) has been shown to affect water and ion transport and specific ANP binding has been identified in several secretory tissues. ANP commonly acts via stimulation of membrane-bound particulate guanylate cyclase with the production of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP). We questioned whether ANP played a role in the complex cyclic transformation of the endometrium into a secretory tissue, and whether its action was cGMP mediated. Endometrium was obtained by biopsy in regularly menstruating women and stromal cells were isolated and cultured for use in this study. ANP competitive binding assays were performed using 125I-labeled ANP (0.1 nmol/L) and increasing concentrations of unlabeled ANP (0-1000 nmol/L). Optimal binding was obtained after 3-h incubation at 4 C and binding characteristics, including dissociation constant and binding site quantity, were estimated by Scatchard analysis. Specific, high affinity (dissociation constant, 0.078 +/- 0.004 nmol/L) and low capacity (4,877 +/- 1,951 binding sites/cell) ANP binding was identified, with nonspecific binding representing less than or equal to 16% of total binding. Evaluation of ANP-stimulated cyclic nucleotide production revealed an increase in cGMP production, with a 7-fold increase at 1000 nmol/L ANP, and no effect on cAMP production. In conclusion, we have identified specific high affinity receptors for ANP in human endometrial cells, suggesting a role for ANP in endometrial cell function and/or development mediated via cGMP production. We propose that ANP may affect local salt and water metabolism, may be involved in the secretory evolution of glandular and stromal cells, and may further facilitate endometrial development via modulation of local vascular tone and endothelial permeability.     

Glucocorticoid regulation of atrial natriuretic peptide receptors on cultured endothelial cells.

Cultured pulmonary artery endothelial (CPAE) cells possess specific high affinity receptors for atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP). CPAE cells were used to investigate the regulation of ANP receptors by glucocorticoids. Treatment of CPAE cells with dexamethasone (1 microM) produced a 69.3 +/- 23% (P less than 0.01) increase in the maximum binding of [125I]ANP to CPAE cells without affecting the affinity of binding. The EC50 for the dexamethasone effect was approximately or equal to 0.5 nM, with a maximum effect at 10 nM. The effect was time dependent and developed over 16-72 h, and it could be inhibited by cycloheximide (0.075 micrograms/ml), indicating a requirement for de novo protein synthesis. The glucocorticoid receptor antagonist RU 486 completely inhibited the dexamethasone effect. In affinity cross-linking experiments, dexamethasone increased the labelling of the ANP-R2, or clearance, receptor, whereas labeling of the ANP-R1 receptor could not be detected. Despite the increase in maximum binding, dexamethasone treatment produced a significant (P less than 0.01) decrease in the ANP-stimulated cyclic GMP response of CPAE cells and no change in the affinity of binding for the truncated ANP analog, atriopeptin I. These results indicate that the dexamethasone effect is mediated through glucocorticoid receptors and may be selective for the nonguanylate cyclase-coupled, or ANP-R2, receptor subtype. This study provides direct evidence for regulation of ANP receptors by steroid hormones.     

Thyrotropin modulates receptors for atrial natriuretic peptide on intact human thyroid cells

Interest in the mechanism of impaired salt and water metabolism in hypothyroidism has led to growing evidence of an interaction between atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and the thyroid, which includes reports of direct effects of thyroid hormone on ANP synthesis and circulating ANP levels, and of the presence of specific ANP receptors in human thyroid tissue, which may act to inhibit thyroglobulin (Tg) secretion. The authors questioned whether or not thyrotropin (TSH) has a role in this interaction. They used 125I-ANP to study the effect of TSH on ANP binding to human thyroid cells in primary culture. Binding competition by increasing concentrations of unlabeled ANP in the presence or absence of TSH was assessed by Scatchard analysis. At lower temperatures of 4 degrees C or 23 degrees C, TSH had no effect either on the ANP receptor equilibrium dissociation constant (Kd) or number of binding sites. However, at 37 degrees C, bovine TSH at 1 mU/ml reduced measurable binding sites by about 50% without affecting receptor affinity (Kd = 0.2 nM). Prolonged (6 days) coincubation of TSH with thyroid cells decreased the assayable ANP receptor. The effects of TSH appear to be specific because human luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulatory hormone, growth hormone, human chorionic gonadotropin and iodide had no effect on ANP binding. Thus, human thyroid cells possess a single class of high-affinity, specific receptors for ANP with binding activity that is temperature dependent and modulated by TSH at physiologic temperature. TSH-mediated reduction of binding at 37 degrees C but not at 4 degrees C suggests an energy-dependent process that acts possibly by activating an ANP degradative enzyme or by changing the rate of receptor internalization and subsequent degradation.     

Regulation of receptors for atrial natriuretic peptide in the rat and human

Summary Atrial natriuretic factor or peptide (ANP) is a peptide recently isolated from mammalian atria with potent natriuretic, vasorelaxant, and aldosterone-inhibitory properties. ANP may glay an important role in the regulation of blood pressure and body salt and fluid balance. The presence of binding sites for ANP in the vasculature and adrenal glomerulosa of rats and in platelets in humans has been demonstrated. These sites are involved in the mediation of the vasorelaxant effect of ANP and its inhibitory action on aldosterone seeretion. The role of binding sites on platelets is unknown, but the availability of platelets makes them a useful model for investigating the regulation of receptors for atrial natriuretic factor in humans. The effect of sodium depletion and loading and mineralocorticoids on the density of rat vascular and adrenal sites for ANP was examined, as well as changes that occur after development of renovascular and DOCA-salt hypertension in rats. Sodium loading in the presence of reduced renal mass (unilateral nephrectomy) or mineralocorticoid administration produced renin suppression and resulted in down-regulation of vascular ANP receptors. In one-kidney, one-clip Goldblatt hypertensive rats and in DOCA-salt hypertensive rats, two models of volume-expanded, non-renin-dependent experimental hypertension, the density of ANP binding sites in the mesenteric arterioles was significantly decreased. The sensitivity to ANP of precontracted aorta from renovascular and mineralocortieoid hypertensive rats was significantly reduced. No consistent changes occured in the density of ANP binding sites in the adrenal glomerulosa. Thus, in normotensive or hypertensive animals with volume expansion, a condition which produces increases in circulating ANP, ANP receptors in blood vessels were down-regulated. In cultured rat vascular smooth muscle cells, exposure to 10 nM ANP for 24 hours resulted in down-regulation of ANP binding sites. In humans, binding sites for ANP in platelets had the same molecular requirements as vascular ANP sites in the rat. Sodium loading of normal human volunteers resulted in increased concentration of ANP in plasma and decreased density of ANP binding sites in platelets. In patients with severe congestive heart failure, and elevated concentration of ANP in plasma, the density of ANP sites on platelets was significantly decreased. ANP binding sites in human platelets are regulated similarly to ANP vascular receptors in the rat and may therefore serve as a model for the study of vascular ANP receptors in humans. Increased plasma ANP down-regulates ANP receptors in the rat and human beings. Decreased vascular relaxation secondary to reduced responsiveness to ANP due to down-regulated ANP receptors may play a role in elevation of blood pressure in some models of experimental hypertension. Decreased density of ANP receptors may contribute to the sodium retention of severe congestive heart failure in humans.     

Expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin in murine bone marrow stromal cells

Human fibrotic bone marrow (BM) stroma has been shown to contain alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA)-positive cells. These closely resemble myofibroblasts that were described in other fibrotic tissues. We studied the expression of alpha-SMA in a series of murine BM-derived stromal cell lines to investigate the cellular origin and functional significance of myofibroblast-like cells in hematopoietic tissues. Although these cell lines differed in their biologic properties, most of them expressed alpha-SMA under certain conditions. Cells expressing alpha-SMA constituted a minor population in post-confluent, growth-arrested cultures. However, the incidence of cells expressing alpha-SMA increased significantly when cultures were transferred to nonconfluent conditions. A similar increase in alpha-SMA-positive cells occurred after a strip of cells was scraped away from the confluent cell layer; the cells of the affected area acquired alpha-SMA-positive contractile phenotype. The relationship between alpha-SMA expression and hematopoietic activity was studied using a cloned cell line of BM origin (14F1.1). The ability of these endothelial-adipocyte cells to support hematopoiesis in vitro was maximal under confluent conditions, whereas their expression of alpha-SMA under such conditions was residual. Moreover, in long-term BM cultures supported by confluent 14F1.1 cells, stromal areas associated with proliferating hematopoietic precursors, known as "cobblestone areas," were devoid of alpha-SMA-positive cells. These observations suggest that the expression of alpha-SMA is reversible and inversely related to hematopoietic activity.     

In vivo measurement of atrial natriuretic peptide receptors using nuclear imaging.

We have successfully visualized atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) receptors in vivo using nuclear imaging. 123I-Labelled ANP, injected in green vervet monkeys, was rapidly bound to ANP receptors in the kidneys and lungs. That the observed uptake was receptor mediated was demonstrated with competition studies using simultaneous injection of unlabelled ANP 99-126. It was possible to distinguish between the ANP receptor subtypes by the use of selective antagonists. Thus coinjection of ANP 102-121-des[Gln, Ser, Gly, Leu, Gly] (C-ANP), an ANP analog that selectively binds to the ANP C-receptor, decreased uptake in the kidneys by 50% but increased relative uptake in the lungs and soft tissues. This method permits for the first time, the dynamic in vivo analysis of ANP receptors and their interaction with endogenous ligand. Differences and changes in local ANP receptor concentrations and occupancy could be detected. Since ANP receptor density and affinity are influenced by various physiological and pathological conditions, clinical and diagnostic applications seem possible.     

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.     

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.     

Human B-lymphopoiesis is supported by bone marrow-derived stromal cells

We have recently reported an in vitro culture system that allows the clonal growth and differentiation of normal human bone marrow B-lineage cells. In the report presented here, we have used this B-cell colony assay to study the influence of cellular components of the human bone marrow microenvironment on B-lymphopoiesis. It is demonstrated that bone marrow stromal cells were able to provide all the necessary requirements for the growth and differentiation of B-lineage cells under the conditions of the B-cell colony assay. These stromal cells were obtained from long-term bone marrow cultures (LTBMC) that had been established from the spicules in human bone marrow. When these stromal cells were plated as an adherent underlayer in the double-agar B-cell colony assay, both immature and mature B-lineage cells were induced to differentiate into colonies containing cells that secreted immunoglobulin. The stromal cells from these spicule-derived LTBMCs maintained the capacity to support B-cell colony formation for up to 9 months.     

Plasma atrial natriuretic peptide levels for predicting the outcome of atrial fibrillation.

The predictive value of plasma atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) on the cardioversion outcome was evaluated in 46 hospitalized patients with recent-onset atrial fibrillation (AF). Cardioversion was successful in 42 (91%) patients, 7 (15%) of them regained sinus rhythm spontaneously. After 12 months, 14 (33%) cardioverted patients were in chronic AF. There were no differences in plasma ANP levels between groups where cardioversion failed, those who cardioverted but later developed chronic AF or those who remained in sinus rhythm. However, among patients who were on antiarrhythmic therapy, ANP levels obtained after cardioversion were lower in those who later remained in sinus rhythm. We conclude that lower ANP after cardioversion may be associated with increased chances of long-term preservation of sinus rhythm.     

Expression of activin A/erythroid differentiation factor in murine bone marrow stromal cells.

Accumulating evidence suggests that activin A/erythroid differentiation factor (EDF), a homodimer of beta A chain, is a physiologic hematopoietic factor, particularly of erythroid lineage. Media conditioned by phorbol myristate acetate (PMA)-stimulated murine bone marrow stromal cell lines, MC3T3-G2/PA6 and ST2, contained activin A/EDF, assayed as the activity inducing erythroid differentiation of an activin A/EDF-responsive murine erythroleukemia cell clone F5. Follistatin, a protein specifically binding to activin A/EDF, abolished this erythroid differentiation. Northern blot analysis showed that PMA rapidly increased beta A chain messenger RNA levels in MC3T3-G2/PA6 and ST2 cells. In a search for natural stimulators, we found that tumor necrosis factor-alpha, in itself and synergistically with interleukin-1 beta, induced activin A/EDF production in both cell lines. These results indicate that stromal cells produce activin A/EDF in bone marrow.     

Cell biology of atrial natriuretic peptide.

Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) exhibits a wide spectrum of cardiovascular, endocrine, metabolic and renal actions. cGMP is the major mediator of ANP at the cellular level and only tissues possessing particulate guanylate cyclase appear to present ANP-induced actions. Three types of ANP receptors have recently been cloned. Two of them (A and B receptors) are homologous and contain guanylate cyclase catalytic domains. The C receptor could possibly regulate the metabolic fate of ANP. Data obtained by the radiation inactivation method suggest the presence of an inter- or intramolecular inhibitory component of nearly 90 kilodaltons that represses the catalytic activity of guanylate cyclase within its membrane environment. The mechanism of guanylate cyclase stimulation by ANP could involve this inhibitory component. Preliminary data suggest that the hyperresponsiveness of the particulate guanylate cyclase/cGMP system in hypertension occurs through modulation of the inhibitory component.     

Decreased density of vascular receptors for atrial natriuretic peptide in DOCA-salt hypertensive rats

We have previously found that vascular receptors for atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) in the rat are down-regulated by volume expansion. For this reason vascular ANP receptor density and affinity were examined in a model of volume-expanded hypertension, the deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA)-salt hypertensive rat. The density of mesenteric vascular ANP binding sites was decreased in DOCA-salt hypertensive rats from a control value in uninephrectomized rats of 203 +/- 25 fmol/mg protein to 60 +/- 13 fmol/mg protein (p less than 0.01). The sensitivity of norepinephrine-precontracted aorta to ANP was significantly reduced in DOCA-salt hypertensive rats (p less than 0.001). DOCA-salt hypertensive rats infused intravenously for 4 days with ANP, 100 to 300 ng/hr, did not experience a lowering of blood pressure, in contrast to the significant reduction in blood pressure seen in two-kidney, one clip Goldblatt hypertensive rats similarly infused. In the latter there was no natriuretic response to ANP, while in the DOCA-salt hypertensive rats natriuresis occurred without lowering of blood pressure. In the DOCA-salt hypertensive rats plasma ANP concentration was increased to 68 +/- 8 fmol/ml from 10 +/- 1 fmol/ml in uninephrectomized rats. In conclusion, raised ANP concentration in plasma of volume-expanded hypertensive rats (DOCA-salt hypertension) may result in decreased density of ANP vascular receptors. These results suggest that a decrement in the number of ANP receptors may be a cause of decreased sensitivity of vascular responses to ANP in vitro and resistance to the blood pressure-lowering action of ANP in vivo.     

CD34 expression on murine marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells: impact on neovascularization

OBJECTIVE: CD34 is a sialomucin often expressed by cells with hemangiopoietic potential and widely serves as a surrogate marker of stem cell potential. Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) also express CD34, although the functional significance of its expression remains undefined. In this study, we determined whether CD34(pos) MSCs are functionally distinct from CD34(null) MSCs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: MSCs derived from C57Bl/6 mice were transduced to express the green fluorescent protein (GFP) from which pure CD34(pos) MSC and CD34(null) MSC clones were selected. In vitro, clones were examined by microarray analysis, while in vivo subcutaneous implantation of matrix-embedded MSCs was used to assess cell survival, differentiation, and neovascularization. RESULTS: The flow cytometric phenotype of CD34(pos) and CD34(null) MSCs were similar, as was gene expression of vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGFs) A and B. However, CD34(pos) MSCs upregulated a number of supplementary angiogenesis-associated genes and showed a greater expression of gene associated with vascular differentiation. At 15 days postimplantation, cell survival between CD34(pos) and CD34(null) MSCs was similar, however, CD34(pos) MSCs evoked a significantly greater host-derived response (4.2 +/- 0.7 vs 1.9 +/- 0.5 x 10(6) cells; p < 0.05). GFP-expressing CD34(pos) MSC implants acquired significantly more CD31 expression compared to CD34(null) MSC cells (10.7% +/- 8.4% vs 3.1% +/- 0.6%; p < 0.05), as well as a significantly greater host-derived endothelial cell influx (CD31(+)/CD45(-)). CONCLUSION: CD34 expression by MSCs correlates with enhanced vasculogenic and angiogenic potential in vivo.     

Expression of the gene for the atrial natriuretic peptide in cardiac myocytes in vitro

Summary Primary cultures of neonatal cardiocytes expreses the gene for atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP). In general the levels of expression follow the rank order: atrial > ventricular nonmyocardial cells. Following the initial dispersion cardlocytes require 48 to 72 hours before ANP seeretion and ANP mRNA accumulation approach a new steadystate level. In situ hybridization analysis indicates that ANP gene expression is concentrated in a subpopulation of cardiocytes in both the atrial and the ventricular cell cultures. These findings suggest that these primary cultures may be of value in defining the faciors governing the expression of the ANP gene in the cardiac cell.     

小鼠骨髓基质细胞的生物学特性及血管新生能力

目的 探讨体外培养的骨髓基质细胞的一些生物学特性及体内移植后在缺血区新血管生成中的作用。方法分离5—6周龄的小鼠胫骨、股骨，用预冷的DMEM／F12培养基冲洗出骨髓，经密度梯度离心分离出骨髓单个核细胞，接种后12～16d形成单层贴壁的成纤维样细胞。体外诱导分化鉴定分离的细胞，用传代的细胞进行生长曲线测定，观察其接种贴壁率、分裂指数，检测细胞周期和超微结构，并建立下肢缺血模型。荧光标记的体外扩增的骨髓单个核细胞被移植入缺血组织。移植后2周，荧光显微镜及内皮细胞碱性磷酸酶染色，检查荧光阳性细胞与染色阳性细胞的时空关系。结果体外传代培养的单个核细胞倍增时间约为42h。传代10h贴壁率达90％以上。分裂指数曲线与生长曲线相似。细胞周期显示约83％的细胞处于G1期。结论 体外培养的骨髓基质细胞生长稳定，传代后的细胞适应性强，增殖较快，表现出较早期细胞特点，在体外及移植入体内缺血区能分化为血管内皮细胞，有望用于改善组织缺血。     

Depletion of atrial natriuretic peptide during longstanding atrial fibrillation.

This review focuses on the relation between atrial fibrillation (AF) and atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP). ANP is produced by the atria secondary to atrial stretch. By causing atrial stretch, acute AF leads to an increase in plasma ANP concentration, which serves to normalize haemodynamics through natriuresis and vasodilation. However, data have been reported suggesting that prolonged AF, by inflicting structural atrial damage, is associated with a reduced capacity by the atria to produce ANP. An inverse relation was thus demonstrated between the duration of AF and plasma ANP concentration. In addition, a reduced ANP response to exercise has been shown to be predictive of unsuccessful cardioversion of AF to sinus rhythm. Finally, ANP has also been shown to predict outcome after a maze operation. Outcome was poor when preoperative plasma ANP concentration was low. Moreover, a high atrial collagen content, as a measure of atrial degeneration, correlated with low ANP. These data indicate that ANP may serve as a marker of atrial integrity, which may help in selecting AF patients for therapeutic interventions.