Angiotensin II (ANG II), as a single factor, induces proliferation in a cultured murine mesangial cell line (MMC). This study was undertaken to evaluate a possible influence of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) on this ANG II-induced proliferation. ANP (10(-7) M) for 2 min significantly increased intracellular cGMP levels in MMC. This increase in cGMP was totally abolished when cells were preincubated for 5 min with 10(-7) M ANG II. Stimulation of intracellular cGMP formation by sodium nitroprusside was also decreased in the presence of ANG II. The ANG II-mediated inhibition of ANP-stimulated intracellular cGMP levels was blocked by Dupont 753, suggesting signal transduction through ANG II receptors of the AT1 class. ANP (10(-7) M) for 24 h completely abolished the ANG II-induced proliferation in MMC. However, 10(-7) M ANP had no significant effect on mitogenesis induced by platelet-derived growth factor or epidermal growth factor. Furthermore, ANP reduced the ANG II-stimulated expression of the proliferating cell nuclear antigen, a cofactor of polymerase delta that is active in the S-phase of the cell cycle. The addition of 10(-3) M N-monobutyryl-guanosine 3':5'-cyclic monophosphate or 8-bromo-guanosine 3':5'-cyclic monophosphate also blocked the ANG II-induced proliferation. ANP (10(-7)) M for 24 h had no significant influence on the expression (number and dissociation constant) of ANG II receptors as determined by binding assays. These results suggest that, besides the previously shown vasoconstrictive and vasodilating effects, complex interactions between ANG II and ANP exist that can modulate mesangial cell growth.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)