Autoradiographic and immunological techniques to analyse kinin receptor distribution in rat and human tissues

Kinins are vasoactive peptides that have traditionally been associated with vascular tone regulation. Nevertheless, the availability of adequate probes directed to kinin receptors has resulted in the identification of these proteins in organs and cells outside the cardiovascular system. The sensitivity, specificity and simplicity of the techniques developed to visualize kinin receptors have allowed the identification of the specific cells that express these receptors under physiological conditions and the investigation of the possible modifications that they may undergo during the onset and development of experimentally induced or diseased-related pathological conditions.