Natriuretic Peptides in Embryonic Stem Cell-Derived Cardiomyocytes and Their Receptors in the CNS

The natriuretic peptides (NPs) are a family of related hormones that play important roles in the cardiovascular homeostasis, cell growth and neuroendocrine functions. Recently, they have emerged as potentially important clinical biomarkers in heart failure. The heart secretes two major natriuretic peptides: atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), while C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) is mainly secreted from the brain and blood vessels. The physiological effects of NPs are initiated by binding to natriuretic peptide receptors (NPRs), which are widely distributed in several organs. This review describes: the expression of natriuretic peptides in the cardiomyocytes differentiated from ES cells and their role in the cardiomyocyte development. We also describe the detailed distribution of NPRs in the central nervous system and their possible functions in various brain regions.