Regulation of biological functions by the Kallikrein-Kinin system

Research on the kallikrein-kinin system started from the discovery of urinary hypotensive substance in Germany around 1940-1950. Since then, numbers of researchers have explored this field including related inhibitors, enzymes and autacoids, from all over the world. Components of the kallikrein-kinin system have been analysed extensively, especially since the epoch of the discovery of the deficient patients in these components. Recent progress of gene techniques also enhanced the progress of the study in the kallikrein-kinin field. In this review I discuss about 1) Components and the difference of plasma kallikrein system and glandular kallikrein system; 2) Impact of the discovery of the deficient plasma in Factor XII, prekallikrein, kininogens as well as in C1INH, and consequent knowledge from the studies of these deficients; 3) Biological roles of the kallikrein-kinin system; and recent topics in this field.