The interplay between chromogranin A-derived peptides and cardiac natriuretic peptides in cardioprotection against catecholamine-evoked stress

Mounting evidence shows that CgA is a marker of cardiovascular dysfunctions (essential hypertension, hypertrophic and dilatative cardiomyopathy, heart failure) and precursor of the cardioactive peptides vasostatin-1 (VS-1) and catestatin (Cts). This review focuses on recent knowledge regarding the myocardial, coronary and anti-adrenergic actions of VS-1. In particular, the negative inotropism, lusitropism and coronary dilation effects of rat CgA1-64 (rCgA) and human recombinant STACgA1-78 (hrSTACgA1-78) are summarized with attention on their counteracting isoproterenol- and endothelin-1-induced positive inotropism, as well as ET-1-dependent coronary constriction. The interactions between vasostatins (VSs), NPs and CA receptors are proposed as a paradigm of the heart capacity to organize complex connection-integration processes for maintaining homeostasis under intense cardio-excitatory stimuli (myocardial stress).