Immunocytochemical localization of atrial natriuretic factor in the kidney, adrenal medulla, pituitary, and atrium of rat.

Mammalian atria have previously been shown to produce a variety of peptides with natriuretic and vasorelaxant activities. Certain of these atrial natriuretic factors (ANF) have been localized immunocytochemically in secretory granules of atrial myocytes. However, the precise sites of action and extra-atrial synthesis or accumulation of ANF have not been identified immunocytochemically. In the present study, immunoreactive ANF was detected in rat atrial myocytes, intercalated cells of the renal collecting ducts, adrenal medullary chromaffin cells, and gonadotrophs of the anterior pituitary using an antibody against synthetic rat ANF-IV (H2N-Arg-Ser-Ser-Cys-Phe-Gly- Gly-Arg-Ile-Asp-Arg-Ile-Gly-Ala-Gln-Ser-Gly-Leu-Gly-Cys-Asn-Ser-Phe- Arg-Try-COOH). The localization of ANF in specialized cells of the renal collecting tubules and ducts supports suggestions that these structures may be a site of natriuretic action of ANF. In addition, immunocytochemical localization of ANF in the rat adrenal medulla and anterior pituitary suggests the existence of alternate sites of action and/or synthesis. We believe these findings are important for a more complete understanding of the role of ANF in fluid and sodium regulation and of the participation of ANF in the development of sodium-dependent hypertension.