Atriopeptin II decreases cytosolic free Ca in cultured vascular smooth muscle cells

We have examined the hypothesis that atriopeptin II decreases cytosolic free Ca concentrations in cultured aortic smooth muscle cells. Ca levels were measured, using the Ca indicator fura-2, by dual wavelength fluorescence spectroscopy, in superfused primary cultures of smooth muscle cells. Basal Ca values were between 40 and 100 nM. Angiotensin II (10 nM) elicited a transient threefold increase in Ca, followed by return to a sustained Ca level that was 30% higher than the original basal values. Atriopeptin II dose-dependently decreased basal Ca concentrations by 10-40%. Atriopeptin II did not have a significant effect on the transient Ca response elicited by 10 nM angiotensin II, but the atrial peptide dose-dependently decreased the sustained increase that followed the transient response. Atriopeptin II also decreased cytosolic Ca levels that were elevated by 50 mM KCl. These results support the hypothesis that atriopeptins relax vascular smooth muscle by decreasing basal and vasoconstrictor-elevated cytosolic free Ca levels and that these peptides may function as endogenous antagonists of Ca-mediated processes.