Molecular forms of C-type natriuretic peptide in cerebrospinal fluid and plasma reflect differential processing in brain and pituitary tissues.

C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) is a paracrine growth factor widely expressed within tissues of the central nervous system. Consistent with this is the high concentration of CNP in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), exceeding levels in the systemic circulation. CNP abundance is high in hypothalamus and especially enriched in pituitary tissue where - in contrast to hypothalamus - processing to CNP-22 is minimal.

Dexamethasone increases production of C-type natriuretic peptide in the sheep brain.

Although C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) has high abundance in brain tissues and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), the source and possible factors regulating its secretion within the central nervous system (CNS) are unknown. Here we report the dynamic effects of a single IV bolus of dexamethasone or saline solution on plasma, CSF, CNS and pituitary tissue content of CNP products in adult sheep, along with changes in CNP gene expression in selected tissues. Both CNP and NTproCNP (the amino-terminal product of proCNP) in plasma and CSF showed dose-responsive increases lasting 12-16 h after dexamethasone, whereas other natriuretic peptides were unaffected.

Sustained increases in plasma C-type natriuretic peptides fail to increase concentrations in cerebrospinal fluid: Evidence from pregnant sheep.

C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) is a paracrine growth factor with high abundance in CNS tissues and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Consistent with findings of CNP transcripts in the cerebral microvasculature and hypothalamus, CNP increases the permeability of the blood-brain barrier and reduces food intake when administered intracerebroventricularly in rodents. Whether high concentrations of CNP in plasma can affect CSF levels is unknown.