The Natriuretic Peptide Family: A Single Entity, Pleiotropic Effects

Dear Colleagues,

The natriuretic peptide family includes a set of polypeptide mediators: the atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP), Dendroaspis natriuretic peptide (DNP), urodilatin, guanylin, and uroguanylin. Their functions are heterogeneous and influence metabolism in various organs and tissues.

Mainly known for their actions on the cardiovascular system, they exert diuretic and natriuretic action, regulating central fluid volume and blood pressure. This mainly happens thanks to the endocrine functions of ANP and BNP. DNP exhibits similar actions, but its physiological role has not yet been clarified. Furthermore, ANP and BNP have local (autocrine/paracrine) regulatory actions within the heart, and CNP carries out local regulatory actions within the vessel wall. CNP also regulates bone metabolism (a potent stimulator of endochondral bone growth) and is involved in various reproductive processes as well as in embryonic and fetal development. ANP, BNP, and CNP even play a role in the central nervous system, influencing neuronal development, synaptic transmission, and neuroprotection. Guanylin and uroguanylin are synthesized in the intestine and are released both luminally and into circulation. They may act as a hormone in the novel endocrine axis, linking the digestive system and kidney to increase sodium excretion in the postprandial period. Finally, urodilatin is synthesized in the kidney and acts in an autocrine and paracrine way by stimulating diuresis and natriuresis. It is thought to play a greater role in the regulation of blood sodium than ANP and BNP.

In this Special Issue, we look forward to receiving original research and reviews that highlight recent advances in our understanding of natriuretic peptides' function and metabolism both from physiological and pathophysiological perspectives.

Dr. Vittoriano Della Corte
Guest Editor

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