| Abstract: | Abstract. The natriuretic peptides are a family of widelydistributed, but evolutionarily conserved, polypeptide mediatorsthat exert a range of actions throughout the body. Incardiovascular homeostasis, the endocrine roles of thecardiac-derived atrial and B-type natriuretic peptide (ANP andBNP) in regulating central  uid volume and blood pressure havebeen recognised for two decades. However, there is a growingrealisation that natriuretic peptide actions go far beyond theirvolumeregulating effects. These pleiotropic actions includelocal (autocrine/paracrine) regulatory actions of ANP and BNPwithin the heart, and of another natriuretic peptide, CNP,within the vessel wall. Effects on function and growth of thelocal tissue environment are likely to be of great importance,especially in disease states where tissue and circulating levelsof ANP and BNP rise markedly. At present, the relevance of othernatriuretic peptides (notably uroguanylin and DNP) to humanphysiology and pathology remain uncertain. Other articles inthis issue of Basic Research in Cardiology review the molecularphysiology of natriuretic peptide signalling, with a particularemphasis on the lessons from genetically targetted mice; thevascular activity of natriuretic peptides; the regulation androles of natriuretic peptides in ischaemic myocardium; and thediagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic roles of natriureticpeptides in heart failure. |
