Clin Rev Allergy Immunol. 2026 Jul 3;69(1):56. doi: 10.1007/s12016-026-09178-y.
ABSTRACT
Bradykinin is a nonapeptide of the kinin family with vasoactive and proinflammatory activities. While generation of kinins is mainly driven by activation of the contact system and plasma or tissue kallikreins, additional independent cascades contribute to their formation. Kinins mediate their effects through the constitutively expressed bradykinin B2 receptor and the inducible bradykinin B1 receptor. Bradykinin is the most studied kinin peptide mainly due to its potential role in the vascular system and exerts its effects mainly via the bradykinin B2 receptor. Kinins have been implicated in the pathogenesis of multiple types of angioedema as well as of various conditions, such as allergic mast cell-mediated skin diseases, cardiovascular and respiratory pathologies. This review summarizes our current knowledge of the biology, regulation, and functions of kinins and their receptors as well the emerging evidence on the various mechanisms involved in bradykinin formation and their relevance in disease pathogenesis. The review focuses on the clinical evidence on the roles of bradykinin and of the bradykinin B2 receptor in various conditions, and the potential to develop novel strategies targeting the bradykinin B2 receptor for management of bradykinin-mediated diseases.
PMID:42397484 | DOI:10.1007/s12016-026-09178-y