The kallikrein--kinin system in blood vessels
Nolly, H.L.; Lama, M.C.; Carretero, O.A.; Scicli, A.G.
Agents and Actions. Supplements 38: 1-9
1992
ISSN/ISBN: 0379-0363 PMID: 1462850 Document Number: 393782
We have previously reported that vascular tissue contains kallikrein and kallikrein mRNA. We can now show that kallikrein is present throughout the vascular tree and is released from arterial and venous rings incubated "in vitro". Using the isolated perfused rat hindquarters as a model, we found that kallikrein appeared in the perfusate in concentrations that increased linearly with time. Treatment with puromycin inhibited kallikrein release by 87% (p < 0.01), these data suggest that kallikrein is synthesized and released by the vascular wall. Local generation of kinins (autocrine/paracrine system) may contribute to the regulation of vascular homeostasis.