Atrial natriuretic peptide receptors in human endometrial stromal cells

Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) has been shown to affect water and ion transport and specific ANP binding has been identified in several secretory tissues. ANP commonly acts via stimulation of membrane-bound particulate guanylate cyclase with the production of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP). We questioned whether ANP played a role in the complex cyclic transformation of the endometrium into a secretory tissue, and whether its action was cGMP mediated. Endometrium was obtained by biopsy in regularly menstruating women and stromal cells were isolated and cultured for use in this study. ANP competitive binding assays were performed using 125I-labeled ANP (0.1 nmol/L) and increasing concentrations of unlabeled ANP (0-1000 nmol/L). Optimal binding was obtained after 3-h incubation at 4 C and binding characteristics, including dissociation constant and binding site quantity, were estimated by Scatchard analysis. Specific, high affinity (dissociation constant, 0.078 +/- 0.004 nmol/L) and low capacity (4,877 +/- 1,951 binding sites/cell) ANP binding was identified, with nonspecific binding representing less than or equal to 16% of total binding. Evaluation of ANP-stimulated cyclic nucleotide production revealed an increase in cGMP production, with a 7-fold increase at 1000 nmol/L ANP, and no effect on cAMP production. In conclusion, we have identified specific high affinity receptors for ANP in human endometrial cells, suggesting a role for ANP in endometrial cell function and/or development mediated via cGMP production. We propose that ANP may affect local salt and water metabolism, may be involved in the secretory evolution of glandular and stromal cells, and may further facilitate endometrial development via modulation of local vascular tone and endothelial permeability.