The role of kinins in human allergic disease

We have provided clear evidence that kinins are generated during local allergic reactions in man and have begun studies on the mechanisms by which kinins are formed during these reactions. Clearly, the extent to which kinins may contribute to the symptomatology of allergic rhinitis remains to be determined, but the levels of kinins detected in the model systems described above are sufficient to cause relatively profound physiologic effects. In addition to its ability to produce vasodilatation and edema, bradykinin has been reported to stimulate fluid production from airway submucosal glands via a reflex action and could function to increase mucus production and cause rhinorrhea. Kinins have also been shown to increase chloride transport in the airway and to stimulate the production of prostaglandin E2 by epithelial cells. Thus we believe kinins must now be considered as potentially important mediators in the pathogenesis of human allergic diseases.