Renal effects of dopamine and ANP in high volume expanded rats

Both dopamine (DA) and atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) have been postulated to exert similar effects on the kidney, participating in the regulation of body fluid and sodium homeostasis. In the present study, experiments were performed in anesthetized and isotonic sodium chloride volume expanded rats. After acute volume expansion at 15 % of body weight during 30 min, glomerular filtration rate, urine output, sodium excretion, fractional sodium excretion, proximal and distal sodium excretion and blood pressure were measured. In additional groups we administered ANP or haloperidol or the combination of both to volume expanded animals. Blockade of DA receptors with haloperidol, attenuated diuretic and natriuretic responses to volume load. Proximal sodium excretion was not modified by haloperidol in all experimental groups of rats. Reduction in distal tubular excretion was induced by haloperidol in saline infusion expanded rat but not in ANP treated expanded animals. In conclusion, when exaggerated volume expansion is provoked, both DA and ANP exert renal tubular events, but ANP have a major central role in the regulation of renal sodium handling.     

HS-142-1, a novel polysaccharide of microbial origin, specifically recognizes guanylyl cyclase-linked ANP receptor in rat glomeruli.

HS-142-1, a novel polysaccharide, of microbial origin had been characterized as a specific antagonist of guanylyl cyclase-linked atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) receptors (ANP-GC receptor) in bovine adrenal cortex. The effect of HS-142-1 on ANP receptors of rat glomeruli were examined. HS-142-1 blocked rat ANP (r-ANP)-stimulated cGMP production in a concentration-dependent manner, although it caused only slight inhibition in the specific binding of [125I]-rANP to the glomeruli where only a small portion of the binding sites are coupled to guanylyl cyclase. HS-142-1 recognized the 135K ANP receptor which is thought to be ANP-GC receptors but did not recognized 60K receptor, guanylyl cyclase-free type from affinity cross-linking studies with glomerular membranes. These results indicate that HS-142-1 is a specific antagonist for the ANP-GC receptor in rat glomeruli, and that it will be a powerful tool for understanding the physiological roles of ANP in renal responses.     

Increased secretion of brain natriuretic peptide and atrial natriuretic peptide, but not sufficient to induce natriuresis in rats with nephrotic syndrome.

The levels of immunoreactive brain natriuretic peptide (ir-BNP) and immunoreactive atrial natriuretic peptide (ir-ANP) were evaluated by radioimmunoassay in both the atrium, ventricle and plasma of adriamycin-induced nephrotic rats and control rats. There was no difference in right and left atrial concentrations of ir-BNP, however, a higher right atrial concentration of ir-ANP was observed in nephrotic rats than in controls (p less than 0.01). The ventricular ir-BNP and ir-ANP were increased in nephrotic rats compared to controls (BNP: p less than 0.001, ANP: p less than 0.001). Cardiac BNPs were composed of pro-BNP (gamma-BNP) and its C-terminal 45-amino-acid peptide (BNP-45). The ratio of BNP-45/gamma-BNP in nephrotic rats was higher than that of controls in both atria and in the ventricle. Plasma ir-BNP and ir-ANP were significantly higher in nephrotic rats than in controls (BNP: p less than 0.001, ANP: p less than 0.001), and each level was negatively correlated with urinary sodium excretion in nephrotic rats (BNP: r = -0.84, p less than 0.001, ANP: r = -0.88, p less than 0.001). These results suggest that production and secretion of both BNP and ANP are concomitantly stimulated by a decreased renal ability to eliminate sodium and water, but this secretion is insufficient to induce effective natriuresis in nephrotic rats.     

Renal atrial natriuretic peptide receptors binding properties and function are resistant to DOCA-salt-induced hypertension in rats

Atrial natriuretic peptide receptor types A (NPR-A) and C (NPR-C) binding properties and functional characteristics in renal glomeruli have been investigated in deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA)-treated hypertensive Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats and their respective controls. We found that DOCA administration had no significant effect on the maximum binding capacity or the affinity of renal NPR-A and NPR-C. NPR-C is involved in the regulation of cAMP production. Our results indicate that the cAMP production by NPR-C is not altered in DOCA-induced hypertension, since ANP(1-28), CNP(1-22) and C-ANP, which specifically bind to NPR-C, show a similar inhibitory effect on cAMP production stimulated by the physiological agonist histamine in glomeruli from DOCA-treated rats and controls. Finally, we have found that DOCA-induced hypertension does not modify NPR-A or NPR-C expression in rat glomerular membranes. These findings indicate that NPR-A and NPR-C binding properties and NPR-C-mediated inhibition of cAMP generation remain unaltered in DOCA-treated rats.     

Computerized approach using autoradiography to quantify atrial natriuretic peptide receptors in the DOCA-salt hypertensive rat kidney.

The alteration of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) receptors was investigated in the kidney of deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA)-salt treated hypertensive rats. The absolute amount of renal ANP receptors was determined in a membrane homogenate binding study of rat whole kidneys. Administration of DOCA-salt led to a decrease in renal ANP receptors after 3 weeks (prehypertensive state) and 6 weeks (established hypertensive state) of treatment. In vitro macro-autoradiography (ARG) was then performed with [125I]ANP to localize and to quantitate specific renal ANP receptors. ARG revealed that specific ANP binding was distributed mainly over the renal cortex with the inner medulla next in frequency. Renal ANP receptors were therefore quantified over the cortex and the inner medulla using the computerized microdensitometry of ARG. A significant reduction in renal ANP receptors was observed in the DOCA-salt treated rats after 3 and 6 weeks of treatment with decrements observed in both the cortex and inner medulla. These alterations may be related to the pathophysiology of hypertension.     

Masugi's nephritis: preparation of an active nephrotoxic serum

An active nephrotoxic serum (NTS) was prepared by immunization of rabbits with isolated renal glomeruli of rats and Freund's complete adjuvant. The glomeruli were isolated from the renal cortex by the sieving procedure. Intravenous injection of the NTS to rats induced the development of marked proteinuria and the nephrotic syndrome. Histological and electron microscopic studies of renal tissue performed by days 5 and 15 since the first injection of the NTS revealed extracapillary proliferative glomerulonephritis. IgG depositions on the basal membranes of the glomerular capillaries were linear on day 5 and granular on day 15 since the first injection of the NTS.     

Atrial peptides and the renal response to hypervolemia in nephrotic rats

Immunoreactive atrial natriuretic peptide (iANP) levels in plasma of edematous rats with an experimental nephrotic syndrome produced by the injection of puromycin aminonucleoside (PAN) were not different from those in untreated rats. To test the ability of nephrotic rats to secrete iANP in response to a volume stress, the rats were subjected to 20% expansion of their estimated blood volumes using blood from donor rats. PAN-treated rats had very small natriuretic and diuretic responses compared with untreated rats; however, there was no difference in the secretory response of iANP, which increased approximately threefold in each group. There were highly significant correlations between changes in plasma iANP and changes in right atrial pressure in both normal and nephrotic rats. Nephrotic rats that were infused with synthetic ANP showed only a very small natriuretic and diuretic response compared with normal rats, and no change in glomerular filtration rate. The hypotensive response was still present, however. Urine concentration in nephrotic rats was much lower than in controls and was not increased by exogenous arginine vasopressin. It is concluded that the absence of a normal natriuretic and diuretic response to hypervolemia in PAN-treated rats is not caused by a failure to secrete ANP but might be a result of an intrarenal defect that makes their kidneys unresponsive.     

Autoradiography of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) receptors in the rat brain.

Quantitative autoradiography was used to localize and characterize atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) receptors in the rat brain and to study their regulation. Peptide receptors are selectively located to circumventricular organs outside the blood brain barrier, such as the subfornical organ, and to brain areas involved in fluid and cardiovascular regulation. Dehydration, either by water deprivation of normal rats, or chronic dehydration present in homozygous Brattleboro rats lacking vasopressin, results in large increases in ANP binding in receptor number in the subfornical organ. In the deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA)-salt hypertensive model, only salt treatment, but not DOCA alone or the combination of DOCA-salt, increased the ANP receptor number in the subfornical organ and the choroid plexus. Both young and adult genetically hypertensive rats have a greatly decreased ANP receptor number in the subfornical organ and the choroid plexus. Selective displacement with an inactive analog lacking the disulfide bond (ANP 111-126) suggests that genetically hypertensive rats may lack C (clearance) atrial natriuretic peptide receptors. Our results implicate brain atrial natriuretic peptide receptors in the central response to alterations in fluid regulation and blood pressure.     

Renal actions of atrial natriuretic peptide on the postischemic kidney

The objective of this study was to evaluate the renal actions of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) in the unilateral postischemic kidney of anesthetized dogs with a severe reduction in glomerular filtration rate. The dose of atrial natriuretic peptide (50 ng.kg-1.min-1) we gave did not alter the mean systemic arterial pressure, renal blood flow, and glomerular filtration rate in the normal kidney, as determined in foregoing studies. ANP was infused into the intrarenal artery continuously for 60 min after the release from 45 min of complete renal artery occlusion. In the vehicle-infused group, the glomerular filtration rate fell dramatically (6% of control), the renal blood flow decreased (60% of control), and the mean systemic arterial pressure tended to increase (136% of control). The urine flow rate and urinary excretion of sodium decreased significantly (25 and 25%, respectively) at 30 min after reflow in the postischemic period. Continuous renal artery infusion of ANP resulted in a marked increase in urine flow rate (246% of control) and the urinary excretion of sodium (286% of control). The administration of ANP led to an improvement in renal blood flow (99% of control) and glomerular filtration rate (40% of control), and attenuated the rise in mean systemic arterial pressure (109% of control), compared with findings in the vehicle-infused group. Plasma renin activity and prostaglandin E2 concentration in the renal venous blood were elevated after the release from complete renal artery occlusion in both groups. These results indicate that the vascular effects of ANP on the postischemic kidney were enhanced and that the peptide maintained the natriuretic effect.     

Renal actions of dendroaspis natriuretic peptide in rabbits

Dendroaspis natriuretic peptide (DNP) is one of four members of the natriuretic peptide family sharing functional and structural properties. The purpose of the present study was to elucidate the physiological role of DNP on renal functions and its cellular mechanism in the rabbit kidney. DNP (5 μg/kg/min) infused intravenously increased urine volume and urinary excretion of electrolytes. These renal actions induced by DNP were more pronounced than those caused by atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP). We compared profiles of (125)I-ANP and (125)I-DNP by reverse-phase HPLC during incubation in rabbit plasma at 37°C for 1, 2, and 4h. While (125)I-ANP was quickly degraded within 1h, (125)I-DNP was still stable in plasma for 4h. DNP induced the greatest cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) production in the glomeruli in a dose-dependent manner, when compared to other renal structures including cortical tubules, outer medullary tubules, and inner medullary tubules. Affinity cross-linking analysis revealed NPR-A is selective receptor for DNP in glomeruli. Forskolin, a stimulator of adenylyl cyclase, significantly decreased cGMP production in the renal glomeruli but not in the renal medulla. In summary, DNP is a more effective activator of renal functions than ANP, possibly because of the degradation resistance of DNP against the endogenous peptidases in plasma or tissues. These findings suggest that DNP plays a pivotal role as a renal regulating peptide via specific natriuretic peptide receptors with a guanylyl cyclase domain.     

Vascular receptors for atrial natriuretic peptide in hypertension

Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) is secreted by the heart in response mainly to atrial distension and circulates in plasma in picomolar concentrations. It binds to receptors in blood vessels which it relaxes, renal glomeruli where it induces increased glomerular filtration rate, renal papilla to produce natriuresis, adrenal glomerulosa celts to inhibit aldosterone secretion, and median eminence and pituitary where it may inhibit vasopressin secretion. In experimental models of hypertension plasma levels of ANP are uniformly elevated, except in spontaneously hypertensive rats, in which plasma ANP may only rise transiently. The action of ANP on smooth muscle cells of the blood vessel wall results in production of cyclic GMP, which appears to be the second messenger producing relaxation of pre-contracted blood vessels. Mechanisms other than cGMP generation have been proposed but remain unproven as mediators of ANP action. Receptors for ANP in blood vessels are of two subtypes: B-receptors (or R₁-receptors), which contain guanylate cyclase in their structure, and C-receptors (or R₂-receptors), which have not been shown to the present to be biologically active. Our studies on vascular ANP receptors are reviewed. In several experimental models of hypertension such as saralasin-insensitive 2-kidney, 1-clip and 1-kidney, 1-clip Goldblatt hypertensive rats and in DOCA-salt hypertensive rats, we have found elevated plasma ANP, as well as decreased binding and ANP-induced vascular relaxation and blood pressure-lowering effects of ANP. Both the B and C ANP receptors appear decreased in density, even after acid washing of membranes to remove any retained circulating ANP. In SHR we have found that plasma ANP was higher than in control WKY rats only transiently at 8 weeks. Binding was significantly lower in 4 and 8 week-old SHR, but cGMP generation and relaxation produced by ANP were increased in the 4 week-old SHR but normal at 8, 12 or 16 weeks. Expression of B-receptors was exaggerated in 4 week-old SHR relative to C receptors in comparison to age-matched WKY and Wistar rats. These results may underly the normalization of blood pressure found in SHR when a small dose of ANP is infused intravenously, in contrast to other models of experimental hypertension which appear to be more resistant to ANP-induced blood pressure lowering effects. In humans with essential hypertension, plasma ANP was increased in patients with moderate to severe uncontrolled high blood pressure, associated with echocardiographic evidence of left ventricular hypertrophy. In these patients, platelet ANP binding was significantly reduced. If these sites resemble vascular ANP sites in their behavior, severely hypertensive patients may be less sensitive to ANP, which may contribute to blood pressure elevation.     

Ontogeny of atrial natriuretic peptide receptors in fetal rat kidney and adrenal gland

Summary With in vitro autoradiography, specific receptors for atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) were localized in fetal rat kidney and adrenal glands. Receptors were present over renal vesicles, in the primitive renal medulla and throughout the adrenal gland as early as 16 days gestation. By 20 days gestation, several layers of developing renal corpuscles were present and ANP receptors were localized over developing glomeruli in each layer. Larger accumulations occurred over the juxtamedullary glomeruli. In the medulla, the receptors were localized in a reticular pattern near the pelivis. With emulsion coated sections, ANP receptors in developing renal corpuscles were seen primarily over the lower curve of S-shaped vesicles and around the periphery of the more mature corpuscles. In the renal medulla, receptors were localized over the interstitial cells. In the 16-day-old adrenal gland, ANP receptors were present throughout the cortical area but at 20 days gestation and 1 day postpartum receptors appeared more numerous in the peripheral region. these data suggest that ANP has important developmental effects in the kidney and adrenal gland and may be involved in regulation of body fluid homeostasis in the late gestation rat fetus.     

Presence of dendroaspis natriuretic peptide and its binding to NPR-A receptor in rabbit kidney

Natriuretic peptides help to maintain sodium and fluid volume homeostasis in a healthy cardio-renal environment. Since the identification of Dendroaspis natriuretic peptide (DNP) as a new member of the natriuretic peptide family, DNP has been considered as an important regulator of natriuresis and dieresis. The present study was undertaken to investigate the presence of immunoreactive Dendroaspis natriuretic peptide (DNP) and its specific receptor in rabbit. DNP was detected in heart, kidney, liver, brain, and plasma by radioimmunoassay (RIA). DNP contents of cardiac atrium and ventricle, renal cortex and medulla, liver, and brain were 1.42 ± 0.15, 1.0 6 ± 0.08, 2.55 ± 0.21, 1.81 ± 0.16, 1.36 ± 0.22, and 0.69 ± 0.15 pg/mg of wet weight, respectively. The concentration of DNP in plasma was 235.44 ± 15.44 pg/ml. By quantitative in vitro receptor autoradiography, specific 12?I-DNP binding sites were revealed in glomeruli, interlobular artery, acuate artery, vasa recta bundle, and inner medulla of the kidney with an apparent dissociation constant (K(d)) of 0.29 ± 0.05, 0.36 ± 0.03, 0.84 ± 0.19, 1.18 ± 0.23, and 10.91 ± 1.59 nM, respectively. Basal rate of 3', 5'-cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) production by particulate guanylyl cyclase (GC) activation of glomerular membranes was basally 13.40 ± 1.70 pmol/mg protein/min. DNP caused an increment of cGMP production in similar magnitude to that caused by ANP, BNP, and urodilatin, while the production of cGMP by CNP was significantly lower than that by DNP. Our results show that plasma levels of DNP were higher when compared to other tissues. DNP produces cGMP via the NPR-A receptor subtype in the kidney, similarly to ANP and BNP, suggesting that plasma DNP could have similar functions as ANP and BNP.     

Ontogeny of atrial natriuretic peptide receptors in fetal rat kidney and adrenal gland

With in vitro autoradiography, specific receptors for atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) were localized in fetal rat kidney and adrenal glands. Receptors were present over renal vesicles, in the primitive renal medulla and throughout the adrenal gland as early as 16 days gestation. By 20 days gestation, several layers of developing renal corpuscles were present and ANP receptors were localized over developing glomeruli in each layer. Larger accumulations occurred over the juxtamedullary glomeruli. In the medulla, the receptors were localized in a reticular pattern near the pelvis. With emulsion coated sections, ANP receptors in developing renal corpuscles were seen primarily over the lower curve of S-shaped vesicles and around the periphery of the more mature corpuscles. In the renal medulla, receptors were localized over the interstitial cells. In the 16-day-old adrenal gland, ANP receptors were present throughout the cortical area but at 20 days gestation and 1 day postpartum receptors appeared more numerous in the peripheral region. These data suggest that ANP has important developmental effects in the kidney and adrenal gland and may be involved in regulation of body fluid homeostasis in the late gestation rat fetus.     

Protein abundance of urea transporters and aquaporin 2 change differently in nephrotic pair-fed vs. non-pair-fed rats

Salt and water retention is a hallmark of nephrotic syndrome (NS). In this study, we test for changes in the abundance of urea transporters, aquaporin 2 (AQP2), Na-K-2Cl cotransporter 2 (NKCC2), and Na-Cl cotransporter (NCC), in non-pair-fed and pair-fed nephrotic animals. Doxorubicin-injected male Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 10) were followed in metabolism cages. Urinary excretion of protein, sodium, and urea was measured periodically. Kidney inner medulla (IM), outer medulla, and cortex tissue samples were dissected and analyzed for mRNA and protein abundances. At 3 wk, all doxorubicin-treated rats developed features of NS, with a ninefold increase in urine protein excretion (from 144 ± 21 to 1,107 ± 165 mg/day; P < 0.001) and reduced urinary sodium excretion (from 0.17 to 0.12 meq/day; P < 0.001). Urine osmolalities were reduced in the nephrotic animals (1,057 ± 37, treatment vs. 1,754 ± 131, control). Unlike animals fed ad libitum, UT-A1 protein abundance was unchanged in nephrotic pair-fed rats. Glycosylated AQP2 was reduced in the IM base of both nephrotic groups. Abundances of NKCC2 and NCC were consistently reduced (71 ± 7 and 33 ± 13%, respectively) in both nephrotic pair-fed animals and animals fed ad libitum. In pair-fed nephrotic rats, we observed an increase in the cleaved form of membrane-bound γ-epithelial sodium channel (ENaC). However, α- and β-ENaC subunits were unaltered. NKCC2 and AQP2 mRNA levels were similar in treated vs. control rats. We conclude that dietary protein intake affects the response of medullary transport proteins to NS.     

Attenuated diuretic and natriuretic effects of atrial natriuretic peptide in rats with heart failure

Plasma levels of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and renal responses to ANP were examined in rats with chronic cardiac failure produced by coronary artery ligation and in sham-operated controls. Plasma ANP levels were elevated in the rats with severe cardiac failure as compared with the controls (P less than 0.001). ANP injections at the doses of 1, 5, 25 and 50 micrograms/kg increased water and sodium excretion significantly at all but the lowest dose in the controls; only the two largest doses caused clear diuresis and natriuresis in the heart failure group. The diuretic and natriuretic effects of ANP were significantly weaker at the doses of 5 and 25 micrograms/kg in the rats with heart failure as compared with the controls. We conclude, that natriuretic and diuretic effects of ANP are attenuated in this chronic heart failure mode.     

Natriuretic peptide receptors in cultured rat diencephalon

To characterize the type of cell expressing natriuretic peptide receptors in the brain and the nature of these receptors, we conducted studies in primary cultured glial and neuronal cells derived from fetal rat diencephalon. The glial predominant cultures (95% of total cells and glial fibrillary acidic protein positive) expressed nearly a 10-fold greater specific binding of the natriuretic peptides to cell surface receptors compared with the neuron-predominant cultures. Scatchard analysis of binding studies with 125I-atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and 125I-brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) revealed a single class of receptors with dissimilar affinities (0.25 +/- 0.09 and 0.74 +/- 0.07 nM, respectively, n = 3 experiments p less than 0.01) but similar numbers of binding sites for both peptides (93 and 88 fmol/mg of protein, respectively). Cross-linking of 125I-ANP and BNP to cultured glia followed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and autoradiography identified distinct bands at either approximate Mr 130,000, or 102,000 and 66,000, corresponding to two high molecular weight (B) receptors and one low molecular weight (C) receptor described in other tissues. Different subtypes of astrocytes appeared to express different B receptors. Binding and cross-linking of radiolabeled ANP or BNP were competitively inhibited equally by unlabeled ANP or BNP, indicating that ANP and BNP probably bind the same receptors. The glial cultures functionally expressed a receptor(s) with guanylate cyclase activity; BNP was less potent than ANP in stimulating cGMP at lower concentrations. These results indicate that both high and low molecular weight natriuretic peptide receptors are expressed in astrocyte-predominant cultures from the fetal diencephalon and suggest that glia participate in several actions of ANP which are probably mediated through this area of the brain.     

Binding sites for atrial natriuretic peptide in the kidney and aorta of the hagfish (Myxine glutinosa)

1. In the atlantic hagfish (Myxine glutinosa) binding sites for atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) were visualized by autoradiography in contractile structures of the renal system (glomeruli, neck segment, and archinephric duct) and in the aorta. 2. Since the location of binding sites is comparable to that in higher vertebrates including man, these results suggest that ANP may act as a hormone already in cylcostomata.     

Functional and structural characterization of a novel member of the natriuretic family of peptides from the venom of Pseudocerastes persicus

A novel peptide, PNP (Pseudocerastes persicus natriuretic peptide), was isolated from the venom of the Iranian viper P. persicus. Amino acid sequencing revealed that the 37-residue peptide belongs to the family of natriuretic peptides. The physiological effects of intra-venously PNP infused into anesthetized rats on urine flow, sodium excretion and blood pressure were comparable to those of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP). In PC12 cells that were treated with either PNP, ANP, or C-type natriuretic peptide, PNP induced a similar cGMP response as ANP. Since PC12 cells only express the natriuretic peptide receptor (NPR)-A receptor we conclude that PNP binds to the NPR-A receptor. The solution conformation of PNP was characterized using (1)H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and indicates a high degree of conformational flexibility.     

Natriuretic peptide receptors in the central vasculature of the toad, Bufo marinus

Natriuretic peptide receptors in the central vasculature of the toad, Bufo marinus, were characterized using autoradiographical, molecular, and physiological techniques. Specific 125I-rat ANP binding sites were present in the carotid and pulmonary arteries, the lateral aorta, the pre- and post-cava, and the jugular vein, and generally occurred in each layer of the blood vessel. The 125I-rat ANP binding was partially displaced by the specific natriuretic peptide receptor C ligand, C-ANF, which indicates the presence of two types of natriuretic peptide receptors in the blood vessels. This was confirmed by a RT-PCR study, which demonstrated that guanylyl cyclase receptor (NPR-GC) and NPR-C mRNAs are expressed in arteries and veins. An in vitro guanylyl cyclase assay showed that frog ANP stimulated the production of cGMP in arterial membrane fractions. Physiological recordings from isolated segments of the carotid and pulmonary arteries and the lateral aorta, which had been pre-constricted with arginine vasotocin, showed that rat ANP, frog ANP and porcine CNP relaxed the vascular smooth muscle with relatively similar potency. Together, the data show that the central vasculature contains two types of natriuretic peptide receptors (NPR-C and NPR-GC) and that the vasculature is a target for ANP and CNP.