Lys-[Des-Arg9]Bradykinin

Bradykinin (BK), which has potent algesic and sensitizing effect on nociceptors, is of current interest in understanding the mechanisms of chronic pain. BK response is mediated by B2 receptor in normal conditions; however, findings that B1 receptor blockade alleviated hyperalgesia in inflammation have been highlighting the role of B1 receptor in pathological conditions. It has not yet been clear whether nociceptor activities are modified by B1 receptor agonists or antagonists during inflammation. In addition, previous studies reported the change in BK sensitivity of nociceptors during short-lasting inflammation, and data in persistent inflammation are lacking. Therefore we investigated whether an experimentally induced persistent inflammatory state modulates the BK sensitivity of nociceptors and which receptor subtype plays a more important role in this condition. Complete Freund's adjuvant was injected into the rat-tail and after 2-3 wk, persistent inflammation developed, which was prominent in the ankle joint. Using an in vitro skin-saphenous nerve preparation, single-fiber recordings were made from mechano-heat sensitive C-fiber nociceptors innervating rat hairy hindpaw skin, and their responses were compared with those obtained from C-fibers tested similarly in normal animals.

We have examined the activation of a phospholipase C signal transduction pathway by a B2-bradykinin receptor in the human astrocytoma cell line D384 and how this influences D1-dopamine receptor stimulated cyclic AMP accumulation. Addition of bradykinin to D384 cells resulted in a concentration-dependent (10(-11)-10(-6) M) increase in the accumulation of [3H]inositol phosphates and a similar concentration-dependent transient increase in specific [3H]beta-phorbol-12,13-dibutyrate binding which is indicative of translocation of protein kinase C from the cytosol to the membrane. Changes in intracellular Ca2+ of single cells, measured using the fluorescent indicator dye fura-2, indicated that bradykinin produced a rapid, but transient, increase in intracellular calcium. The Ca2+ response was largely independent of extracellular Ca2+ supporting the idea that receptor activation leads to mobilization of Ca2+ from intracellular stores. However, extracellular Ca2+ was required for a response to a rechallenge with bradykinin. The bradykinin B2-receptor agonist kallidin increased cytosolic Ca2+ in a similar manner to bradykinin. The Ca2+ response to bradykinin could be partially reduced in the presence of the B2-receptor antagonist [D-Arg0-Hyp,D-Phe7,beta-(2-Thienyl)-Ala5,8]-bradykinin, whereas the B1-receptor agonists (Des-Arg9]-bradykinin and [Des-Arg10]-kallidin were ineffective.

In WI-38 human fibroblasts, interleukin-1 beta and tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) increased bradykinin B(1) receptor mRNA, which peaked between 2 and 4 h, remaining elevated for 20 h. Binding of the bradykinin B(1) receptor selective ligand [3H]des-Arg(10)-kallidin, also increased, peaking at 4 h and remaining elevated for 20 h. The B(max) value for [3H]des-Arg(10)-kallidin rose from 280+/-102 fmol/mg (n=3) to 701+/-147 fmol/mg (n=3), but the K(D) value remained unaltered (control, 1.04+/-0.33 nM (n=3); interleukin-1 beta, 0.88+/-0.41 nM (n=3)). The interleukin-1 beta-induced [3H]des-Arg(10)-kallidin binding sites were functional receptors, as bradykinin B(1) receptor agonist-induced responses increased in treated cells. Bradykinin B(2) receptor mRNA and [3H]bradykinin binding were upregulated by interleukin-1 beta, but not TNF-alpha. The effect of interleukin-1 beta on bradykinin B(2) receptors was smaller than for bradykinin B(1) receptors. Cycloheximide prevented interleukin-1 beta-mediated increases in B(1) and B(2) binding, but not mRNA suggesting that de novo synthesis of a transcriptional activator was unnecessary.