NPR-A: A Therapeutic Target in Inflammation and Cancer

Crit Rev Eukaryot Gene Expr. 2015;25(1):41-6. doi: 10.1615/critreveukaryotgeneexpr.2015012447.

Abstract

Natriuretic peptide receptor A (NPR-A) is the receptor for atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP). NPR-A plays critical physiological and pathophysiological roles in several target cell and tissue system processes, such as cell growth, apoptosis, proliferation, and inflammation. Accumulating data demonstrate that NPR-A is involved in immune and inflammatory reactions and is a potential target in inflammation treatment. It is expressed in various cancer cells and is important for tumor growth. A recent study indicated that NPR-A signaling can regulate stem cell recruitment and angiogenesis. This signaling can serve as a model for studying the linkage between inflammation and tumorigenesis. In this review we highlight the mechanisms by which NPR-A affects signaling pathways involved in inflammation and cancer, and we discuss its potential as a novel target in inflammation, cancer, and cancer-related inflammation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Apoptosis / genetics
  • Atrial Natriuretic Factor / genetics
  • Atrial Natriuretic Factor / metabolism
  • Carcinogenesis / genetics
  • Cell Proliferation / genetics
  • Humans
  • Inflammation / genetics*
  • Inflammation / pathology
  • Inflammation / therapy
  • Natriuretic Peptide, Brain / genetics
  • Natriuretic Peptide, Brain / metabolism
  • Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Neoplasms / pathology
  • Neoplasms / therapy
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic / genetics
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic / pathology
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic / therapy
  • Receptors, Atrial Natriuretic Factor / genetics*
  • Receptors, Atrial Natriuretic Factor / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction / genetics

Substances

  • Natriuretic Peptide, Brain
  • Atrial Natriuretic Factor
  • Receptors, Atrial Natriuretic Factor
  • atrial natriuretic factor receptor A