SummaryThe aim of this study was to explore how atrial natriuretic polypeptide (ANP) affects the properties and function of endothelial cells. Gene expression data GSE56976 generated at 0, 1, and 6 hours after ANP incubation in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) was used. Microarray data were preprocessed for differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in each time-dependent group. Next, gene ontology (GO), pathway analysis, and transcriptional regulation were performed. Co-expression clustering analysis of DEGs and functional enrichment analysis of co-expression modules were processed. RT-PCR analysis was performed to validate gene expression. DEGs were obtained and their counts were increased from 0 hours to 6 hours. No overlapping DEGs were obtained among the 3 groups. The DEGs of ANP_6hours, including TGFB2 (transforming growth factor, beta 2), LTF (lactotransferrin/lactoferrin), and ETV7 (Ets variant 7) were mainly related with cell apoptosis and immune responses. The DEGs in the network of ANP_0hour were mainly associated with epithelial ion transport processes. In addition, 3 co-expressed modules were detected. CSF2 (colony stimulating factor 2) and PF4 (platelet factor 4) of the blue module were related with cytolysis, while FXYD1 (FXYD domain containing ion transport regulator 1) and TGFB2 of the yellow module were mainly enriched in ion transport and the ovulation cycle. The expression of TGFB2 obtained by microarray analysis was consistent with that of RT-PCR. Ion transport could be affected promptly after ANP treatment, and subsequently, the cytolysis of vein endothelial cells may be promoted and endothelial permeability would be enhanced, followed by activated immune responses.(Int Heart J 2018; 59: 197-202) Key words: Gene ontology, Differentially expressed genes, Co-expression clustering analysis, Functional enrichment analysis A trial natriuretic peptide (ANP) is a 28-amino-acid peptide hormone of cardiac origin.1) It has demonstrated a decisive action in endocrine mechanisms of activation and haemodynamic homoeostasis and adjustments by its diuretic, natriuretic, and vasorelaxant effects, and it has a role in cardiovascular remodeling.
2,3)Cannone, et al. suggested that ANP stimulates endothelial macromolecule/vascular permeability, and leaky endothelial cells as well-known cardiovascular risk factors are involved in the development of diseases such as atherosclerosis.4) More interestingly, ANP was found to prevent early relapse in cancers by preventing metastasis.
5)The systemic inflammatory response which promotes cancer cell adhesion to vascular endothelial cells would be inhibited by ANP to prevent cancer metastasis.5) Since cancer cell attachment to endothelial cells is the initial step in metastasis, exploring the mechanism underlying ANP mediated inhibition of tumor cell attachment to vascular endothelial cells and the antimetastatic activities would help to prevent cancer recurrence after surgery. Nojiri, et al. have reported that the expression of E-selectin, a critical componen...