cardiodilation-atrial-natriuretic-peptide and Coronary-Disease

Atrial amyloid deposits are common in the ageing human heart and contain alpha-atrial natriuretic peptide (proANP99-126) immunoreactivity. However, atrial myocytes secrete both amino and carboxy terminal fragments of the ANP prohormone (proANP1-126) and also express an homologous, but separate brain natriuretic peptide (BNP). Characteristic amyloid deposits were identified in the atria of 9/22 patients (26-63 years of age) with end-stage heart failure. Amyloid fibrils displayed immunoreactivity for both amino and carboxy terminal fragments of proANP1-126 and for the distinct BNP sequence. As in other endocrine organs, both mature and precursor peptide sequences appear to be constituents of amyloid fibrils. Whilst immunoreactivity for cardiac peptide hormones is co-localized in atrial amyloid deposits, it is uncertain whether the increase in natriuretic peptide expression which accompanies cardiac failure contributes to the incidence of isolated atrial amyloidosis.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Amyloid; Amyloidosis; Atrial Natriuretic Factor; Cardiomyopathies; Coronary Disease; Female; Heart Atria; Heart Diseases; Heart Valve Diseases; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Male; Microscopy, Electron; Middle Aged; Muscle Proteins; Natriuretic Peptide, Brain; Nerve Tissue Proteins; Peptide Fragments; Protein Precursors