B1 receptors as a new inflammatory target.: Could this B the 1?

The kinins, particularly bradykinin (BK), are important mediators involved in both the initiation and progression of an inflammatory response. The pro-inflammatory effects of kinins are mediated by at least two receptors: the B-2 subtype is expressed constitutively and the B-1 receptor is induced following tissue inflammation and damage. The endogenous ligand for the B-1 receptor is des-arg(9)BK, a cleavage product of the activity of carboxypeptidases on BK. Activation of B-1 receptors produces a range of pro-inflammatory effects including oedema, pain and promotion of blood-borne leukocyte trafficking. In this article Amrita Ahluwalia and Mauro Perretti briefly describe the biology of BK and its receptors, and discuss the possible development of B-1 receptor antagonists as novel anti-inflammatory agents.