Bradykinin B₁ receptor-mediated vasodilation is impaired in myometrial arteries from women with pre-eclampsia

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the vascular functional activity, localisation and expression of B₁ and B₂ kinin receptors in normal pregnancy and pre-eclampsia. Methods: Kinin receptor-mediated relaxation of myometrial arteries was assessed using wire myography. Immunohistochemical staining and gene expression of kinin receptors in the myometrium was determined. Results: B₂ receptor-mediated relaxation was reduced in pre-eclampsia. B₁ receptor-mediated relaxation was observed in a proportion of healthy women and was impaired in pre-eclampsia. Receptor expression and localisation was unaltered in pre-eclampsia. Conclusion: Here, we demonstrate a novel B₁ receptor-mediated vasodilatation in healthy myometrial vessels that is absent in pre-eclampsia.

• Endothelium
• Kinin
• Myometrium
• Pregnancy
• Pre-eclampsia