Effects of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) on agonist-induced EC permeability and adherens junction remodeling. A: HPAEC were treated with ANP (100 ng/ml, 20 min, marked by first arrow). At the time point indicated by second arrow, cells were stimulated with LTA (100 ng/ml; left) or PepG (300 ng/ml; right), and TER was monitored over time. Results are representative of three to five independent experiments. B: endothelial monolayers were pretreated with vehicle or ANP (100 nM, 20 min) and stimulated with LTA or PepG for 6 h. Cytoskeletal remodeling was assessed by immunofluorescence staining for F-actin with Texas red phalloidin. Paracellular gaps are marked by arrows. C: quantitative analysis of gap formation in control and treated HPAEC. Data are expressed as means ± SD of three independent experiments. *P < 0.05.