ANP activates autophagy in endothelial cells

Our proANP ELISA was featured in a recent study investigating the effect of Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) in the regulation of endothelial autophagy in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) (1). Autophagy is a lysosome-mediated degradation process vital for cell survival, differentiation, development, and maintaining homeostasis. Its primary function is to act as an adaptive mechanism, helping organisms defend against various conditions such as infections, cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, aging, and cardiovascular diseases (2).

ANP activates autophagy in endothelial cells

ANP is a hormone mainly produced by the atria of the heart, especially in response to increased stretch caused by higher blood volume or pressure. ANP is vital for managing blood volume and pressure by encouraging the excretion of sodium (natriuresis), water (diuresis), and causing blood vessels to dilate (vasodilation) (3). Additionally, it suppresses the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS), which further helps to lower blood pressure. Interestingly, ANP has recently been identified as an extracellular regulator of cardiac autophagy (4).

Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) modulates stress-induced autophagy in endothelial cells. Forte M et al., Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Cell Res. 2025 

Key findings:

-ANP quickly enhances autophagy in endothelial cells

-Endothelial cells rapidly secrete ANP under stress conditions promoting stress-induced autophagy

-The protective effects of ANP, such as in response to high-salt conditions, are diminished when autophagy is inhibited

Conclusion: the results suggest that ANP functions as an endogenous activator of autophagy in endothelial cells, with autophagy mediating its protective effects on the endothelium.

NT proANP ELISA | BI-20892

• CONVENIENT – Small sample volume – 10 µl / well
• HIGH QUALITY – Full validation package
• TRUSTED – cited in over 170 publications
• EASY – color coded and ready to use reagents
• FLEXIBLE- assay is suitable for human and non-human samples (rodents and others)

 

 

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Literature:

1. Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) modulates stress-induced autophagy in endothelial cells. Forte M, Marchitti S, di Nonno F, Pietrangelo D, Stanzione R, Cotugno M, D’Ambrosio L, D’Amico A, Cammisotto V, Sarto G, Rocco E, Simeone B, Schiavon S, Vecchio D, Carnevale R, Raffa S, Frati G, Volpe M, Sciarretta S, Rubattu S. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Cell Res. 2025 Jan;1872(1):119860. doi: 10.1016/j.bbamcr. 2024.119860. Epub 2024 Oct 9. PMID: 39383950.
2. Autophagy in the pathogenesis of disease. Levine B, Kroemer G. Cell. 2008 Jan 11;132(1):27-42. doi: 10.1016/j.cell.2007.12.018. PMID: 18191218; PMCID: PMC2696814.
3. Cardiac natriuretic peptides. Goetze JP, Bruneau BG, Ramos HR, Ogawa T, de Bold MK, de Bold AJ. Nat Rev Cardiol. 2020 Nov;17(11):698-717. doi: 10.1038/s41569-020-0381-0. Epub 2020 May 22. PMID: 32444692.
4. NPPA/atrial natriuretic peptide is an extracellular modulator of autophagy in the heart. Forte M, Marchitti S, Di Nonno F, Stanzione R, Schirone L, Cotugno M, Bianchi F, Schiavon S, Raffa S, Ranieri D, Fioriniello S, Della Ragione F, Torrisi MR, Carnevale R, Valenti V, Versaci F, Frati G, Vecchione C, Volpe M, Rubattu S, Sciarretta S.Autophagy. 2023 Apr;19(4):1087-1099. doi: 10.1080/15548627.2022.2115675. Epub 2022 Sep 6. PMID: 35998113; PMCID: PMC10012953.