Bradykinin B-1 receptor in isolated human umbilical vein: an experimental model of the in vitro up regulation process

Bradykinin (BK) B-1 receptors are not normally expressed in physiological c onditions but could be induced in immunopathological states. Molecular appr oaches have confirmed that BK B-1 receptor gene is transcriptionally induce d in injured tissues. In these situations, the cytokine network and other p roinflammatory mediators are close linked to BK B-1 receptor expression. In this article, we describe the functional characterization of the BK B-1 receptor up-regulation process in the isolated human umbilical vein and the pharmacological tools employed to demonstrate the de novo synthesis of the se receptors. BK B-1 receptors are up-regulated in a time- and protein synt hesis-dependent process. Furthermore, in this tissue we have demonstrated t he close link between the BK B-1 receptor sensitization and proinflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin-1beta and tumor necrosis factor-alpha. We a lso discuss the possible relationship between nuclear factor-kappa B and BK B-1 receptor induction in human umbilical vein.