Atrial natriuretic peptide down-regulates neutrophil recruitment on inflamed endothelium by reducing cell deformability and resistance to detachment force.

Background: Recombinant atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) is administered in patients with acute heart failure in Japan to improve renal function and hemodynamics, but its anti-inflammatory effect on activated leukocytes may also contribute to its therapeutic efficacy.

Objective: Examine unconventional role of ANP in neutrophil adhesion to inflamed endothelium.

Methods: Human neutrophils were perfused over endothelial monolayers in a microfluidic lab-chip assay.