bradykinindriven

Bradykinindriven is an adjective used to describe biological processes, responses, or disease phenotypes that are primarily driven by bradykinin signaling. Bradykinin is a nonapeptide generated in the kallikrein–kinin system; it exerts most acute effects through the B2 receptor and, after tissue injury or chronic inflammation, via the B1 receptor, causing vasodilation, vascular permeability, edema, and pain.

As a descriptive label, bradykinindriven is less common in formal terminology; researchers more often use bradykinin-mediated or bradykinin-dependent. The concept emphasizes bradykinin as a central mediator rather than an ancillary or secondary player in a pathway.

Clinical and physiological contexts frequently described as bradykinindriven include hereditary angioedema due to C1 esterase inhibitor deficiency, in which excessive bradykinin production leads to swelling; bradykinin-mediated cough and angioedema associated with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors; and inflammatory edema or hyperalgesia driven by bradykinin signaling.

Therapeutic implications focus on interrupting bradykinin signaling, such as bradykinin receptor antagonists (for example, icatibant), kallikrein inhibitors (such as ecallantide), or C1 esterase inhibitor replacement. Recognizing bradykinin-driven processes helps guide diagnosis, risk assessment, and management in relevant conditions.

See also: bradykinin; kallikrein–kinin system; B1 and B2 receptors; hereditary angioedema; ACE inhibitors.