Kinin receptors on epithelial cells and smooth muscle of the trachea

Kallidin and bradykinin produce a biphasic response, contraction followed by relaxation on the isolated guinea-pig tracheal muscle. Two population of receptors appear to regulate the action of kinins on the trachea. Receptors on the epithelium seem to release chemical mediators that control the relaxation response. The question whether similar or different receptors modulate contraction of the smooth muscle may be answered by the use of appropriate antagonists. The occurrence of kinins in bronchial lavage of patients with asthma raises the question of the source of tissue kallikrein involved in the formation of kallidin. We have identified immunoreactive tissue kallikrein in the submucous glands of the trachea.