Atrial natriuretic peptide accelerates human endothelial progenitor cell–stimulated cutaneous wound healing and angiogenesis

ABSTRACT Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) is a powerful vasodilating peptide secreted by cardiac muscle cells, and endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) have been reported to stimulate cutaneous wound healing by mediating angiogenesis. To determine whether ANP can promote the EPC‐mediated repair of injured tissues, we examined the effects of ANP on the angiogenic properties of EPCs and on cutaneous wound healing. In vitro, ANP treatment enhanced the migration, proliferation, and endothelial tube‐forming abilities of EPCs. Furthermore, small interfering RNA‐mediated silencing of natriuretic peptide receptor‐1, which is a receptor for ANP, abrogated ANP‐induced migration, tube formation, and proliferation of EPCs. In a murine cutaneous wound model, administration of either ANP or EPCs had no significant effect on cutaneous wound healing or angiogenesis in vivo, whereas the coadministration of ANP and EPCs synergistically potentiated wound healing and angiogenesis. In addition, ANP promoted the survival and incorporation of transplanted EPCs into newly formed blood vessels in wounds. These results suggest ANP accelerates EPC‐mediated cutaneous wound healing by promoting the angiogenic properties and survival of transplanted EPCs.