Peptide and non-peptide bradykinin receptor antagonists: Role in allergic airway disease

Kinins are proinflammatory peptides that mediate a variety of pathophysiological responses. These actions occur through stimulation of two pharmacologically distinct receptor subtypes B-1 and B-2. In both human and animal airways, the majority of kinin-induced effects including bronchoconstriction, increases in vascular permeability and mucus secretion and cholinergic and sensory nerve stimulation appear to be bradykinin B-2-receptor mediated. Peptidic and non-peptidic receptor antagonists have been developed as potential therapeutic agents. These antagonists are effective in blocking kinin-induced effects in a variety of animal models and in some instances, have been used effectively in animal models of allergic airway disease to alleviate allergen-induced pathophysiological airway responses. This review summarizes relevant studies supporting the evidence that bradykinin B-2 receptor antagonism and/or upstream inhibition of tissue kallikrein will be beneficial in the treatment of inflammatory airway diseases. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.