Binding and dissociation of Hageman factor, prekallikrein and high molecular weight kininogen in human plasma during contact activation

A kaolin pellet was incubated with human plasma at room temperature and immediately washed to remove all unbound proteins. Whereas in normal plasma, 154 mU(PPAN) of kallikrein was bound to the kaolin surface, in Hageman factor (HF)-deficient plasma or normal plasma preincubated with polybrene the surface-bound kallikrein was undetected, while a trace of prekallikrein was bound to the kaolin surface. Dissociation of kinin and kallikrein from the kaolin surface occurs during varying periods of incubation of the kaolin suspension alone. The dissociation of the surface-bound kallikrein revealed two phases in a 15 min incubation: the first phase of dissociation which rapidly progressed until the kinin liberation reached a plateau was followed by the second phase where the kallikrein was slowly dissociated and kinin was no longer liberated. Treatment of the kaolin suspension with trypsin, plasmin or plasma kallikrein enhanced the kinin liberation and dissociation of kallikrein from the kaolin surface. Kallikrein-kinin-free high molecular weight (HMW) kininogen-activated HF complex, kalli-krein-kinin-free HMW kininogen complex, kallikrein, kinin-free HMW kininogen and two activated HFs were found on Sephacryl S-300 and Sephadex G-100 gel filtrations of the supernatant obtained after a 60 min incubation of the kaolin suspension alone. The ternary complex of kallikrein, kinin-free HMW kininogen and activated HF suggests the presence of prekallikrein-HMW kininogen-HF complex on the kaolin surface.     

Activation of the plasma kallikrein/kinin system on endothelial cell membranes

For more than three decades, it has been known that the plasma kallikrein/kinin system becomes activated when exposed to artificial, negatively charged surfaces. The existence of an encompassing in vivo, negatively charged surface capable of activation of the plasma kallikrein/kinin system has, however, never been convincingly demonstrated. In this report, we describe current knowledge on how the proteins of the plasma kallikrein/kinin system assemble to become activated on cell membranes. On endothelial cells, the activation of the plasma kallikrein/kinin system is not initiated by factor XII autoactivation as seen on artificial surfaces. On endothelial cells, prekallikrein is activated by an antipain sensitive protease. Prekallikrein activation is dependent on the presence of high molecular weight kininogen and an optimal free Zn2+ concentration. Kallikrein generated on the surface of endothelial cell is capable of activating factor XII. Further, kallikrein formed on endothelial cell membranes is capable of cleaving its receptor and native substrate, high molecular weight kininogen, liberating bradykinin and the HK PK complex from the endothelial cell surface. Endothelial cell-associated kallikrein also is capable of kinetically favorable pro-urokinase and, subsequent, plasminogen activation.     

Substrates for Kinin-Releasing Enzymes in Rat Plasma

Indirect evidence has been provided for the presence of 3 kininogen fractions: The average amounts of kinin released by rat plasma kallikrein (1.5 μg/ml plasma, S. E. M. = 0.03) and by rat urine kallikrein (1.4 μg/ml plasma, S. E. M. = 0.03) in 7 plasma batches corresponding to a total of 90 rats, when added up, significantly exceeded the total kininogen (2.0 μg/ml plasma, S. E. M. = 0.04). Methods and materials were as described by BRISEID, DYRUD & ÖIE (1970). It is suggested that plasma kallikrein released kinin from 2 kininogen fractions, S1″ and S1″, and that urine kallikrein released kinin from 2 kininogen fractions, S1″ and S2. Repeated incubation with each of the kininogenase preparations used did not increase the yield of kinin. Soybean trypsin inhibitor did not reduce the amount of kinin released by urine kallikrein; the plasma kallikrein, however, was strongly inhibited. In control experiments leucine aminopeptidase transformed kallidin to bradykinin, but did not increase the kinin activity of the urine kallikrein incubates.     

Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays for kinins using high-affinity monoclonal kinin antibodies

Splenocytes from mice immunized either with bradykinin conjugated with carbodiimide to keyhole limpet hemocyanin or ovalbumin were fused using polyethylene glycol with the mouse myeloma cell line SP2/o. Nine monoclonal antibodies reactive with kinins were obtained from two fusions. All of the antibodies were of the IgG1k isotype, except for one, which was an IgG2ak. Based on their reactivities with biologically active kinins and biologically inactive degradation products, the antibodies were separated into three groups. The first group, which had the highest affinities for bradykinin, displayed about equal reactivities for bradykinin and des-Arg9-bradykinin, but little reactivities for the kinin fragments, des-Arg1-bradykinin and des-Phe8-Arg9-bradykinin, or for lysyl-bradykinin and methionyl-lysyl-bradykinin. The second group was similar to the first except that it showed about a 2.5- to 3.5-fold greater reactivity for des-Arg9-bradykinin than for bradykinin. The third group, which had the lowest affinities for bradykinin [50% inhibition of antibody binding to an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) plate occurring with bradykinin concentrations ranging from about 8 to 39 nM], showed little reactivities with des-Arg1-bradykinin, des-Arg9-bradykinin and des-Phe8-Arg9-bradykinin, but 50-100% cross-reactivities with lysyl-bradykinin and methionyl-lysyl-bradykinin. The useful ranges for bradykinin detection (ng/well, 50 microL assay volume) using the highest affinity antibody in each group in ELISAs were: 0.01 to 0.5, 0.03 to 3, and 0.1 to 3 for groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively.     

Assembly, activation, and physiologic influence of the plasma kallikrein/kinin system

The plasma kallikrein/kinin system that consists of the proteins factor XII, prekallikrein, and high molecular weight kininogen was first recognized as a surface-activated coagulation system arising when blood or plasma interacts with artificial surfaces. Although surface-activated contact activation occurs in vivo when various negatively charged surfaces become exposed, including a developing platelet thrombus, a physiologic, non-injury mechanism for activation, regulation, and function of this system has been elusive. Recent investigations have shown that there is a physiologic pathway for assembly and activation of this system independent of factor XII. Gene deficient mice of the bradykinin B2 receptor and factor XII have been recognized to have reduced risk for arterial thrombosis. This plasma proteolytic system influences arterial thrombosis independent of influencing hemostasis. Thus, the plasma kallikrein/kinin system has two mechanisms for its activation: one that is dependent and another independent of factor XII. Better understanding of this system may lead to insight into mechanisms for arterial thrombosis, independent of hemostasis.     

Interaction of leukocytes and endotoxin with the plasmin and kinin systems.

Leukocytes can generate a substance that, when added to some partially purified human kininogen, is capable of forming kinins. The addition of endotoxin or polystyrene latex particles to the incubated leukocytes doubled the amount of kinin generated. Certain preparations of kininogen, however, failed to allow kinin formation by the leukocytes. No evidence could be found that an activator of prekallikrein or a kallikrein was present in the granulocyte preparations. However, the addition of highly purified plasminogen to inactive kininogen preparations restored their ability to generate kinins in the presence of leukocytes. All the kininogen preparations that allowed kinin formation when incubated with leukocytes contained plasminogen. These data suggest that a plasminogen activator is present on the leukocyte surface. This activator activates plasminogen to form plasmin which in turn acts on kininogen to release a kinin and thus provides a mechanism for the formation of kinins in inflammatory exudates and during endotoxemia.     

Hypertensive drugs and plasma kinins in rats

The influence of phenylephrine (PHE), methoxamine (MET) and ephedrine (EPH) on kininogen and prekallikrein level in plasma was investigated in male Wistar rats. Simultaneously the effect of these drugs on blood pressure was monitored. No changes in kininogenesis were observed during the hypertension period (2 h after ip injection). The significant decrease in kininogen level (by 20-30%) was found 4 h after PHE (5 mg/kg) or EPH (40 mg/kg) and 4-12 h after MET (40 mg/kg) injection. The reduction of kallikrein utilization, indicating an increase in prekallikrein level in plasma, was noted only after PHE (by 34%) or MET (by 44%) administration. Phentolamine (REG) in a dose of 20 mg/kg, which counteracted the hypertensive effect of investigated drugs, abolished the influence of these drugs on kininogen level. The results indicate that the hypertension induced by alpha-adrenoceptor agonists evokes the delayed activation of kininogenesis parallel to the secondary decrease in blood pressure. Such a reaction of kinin system seems to be related to primary alpha-adrenoceptor stimulation, not to the direct influence of hypertensive drugs on kinin system in rat plasma.     

Rat uterine contraction by kallikrein and its dependence on uterine kininogen.

Smooth muscle responses to kallikrein (EC 3.4.21.8) are generally considered to result from kinin formation. In the present study, this premise was reexamined with respect to the isolated rat uterus. Rat submandibular gland kallikrein produced contractions of the rat uterus but the contractions disappeared after successive additions of the same dose of the enzyme to the preparation. Kallikrein-induced rat uterine contractions as well as bradykinin-induced contractions were enhanced by rat submandibular gland bradykinin potentiating factor. The incubation of kallikrein with rat uterine extract in the presence of a kininogen-depleted rat uterus produced kinin which elicited the uterine contraction. An extract from uterine horns previously depleted of kininogen was prepared. Incubation of this extract with kallikrein in a bath containing a kininogen-depleted rat uterus did not evoke uterine contraction. The incubation of four rat uterine horns with kallikrein in the presence of a uterine horn previously depleted of kininogen elicited contractions of the depleted uterus. These results suggest that the contraction produced by kallikrein involves kinin release from the uterus.     

Feline endotoxin shock: effects of methylprednisolone on kininogen-depletion, on the pulmonary circulation and on survival.

1 Escherichia coli endotoxin, administered intravenously in a dose of 2 mg/kg to pentobarbitone anaesthetized, artificially ventilated cats resulted in pulmonary hypertension, systemic hypotension and an immediate (1-2 min) 30-40% reduction in plasma kininogen, an effect which probably indicates a release of plasma kinins. 2 Methylprednisolone (30 mg/kg), when administered 30 min before endotoxin, did not influence the endotoxin-induced pulmonary hypertension or systemic hypotension but completely prevented the depletion of plasma kininogen. 3 In spontaneously breathing cats, methylprednisolone, administered 30 min after endotoxin, caused a rapid repletion of kininogen and prolonged survival (47% at 6 h compared to 10% in the endotoxinalone animals). Methylprednisolone did not appear to influence lactate production or the hyperventilation observed during the delayed endotoxin shock phase. 4 It is concluded t,at methylprednisolone does not prevent the release, by endotoxin, of a pulmonary vasoconstrictor prostaglandin, or its effects, but that perhaps by preventing kinin release it may reduce endotoxin-induced capillary leakage.     

Inhibitory effects of aprotinin on kallikrein and kininases in dog's blood

1. The blood-bathed organ technique was used in dogs to estimate kinin generation in the blood. Strips of cat jejunum were used as assay tissues.2. Infusions of kallikrein at 0.5-8 mU / ml into the blood in the extracorporeal circuit led to a generation of kinin at 0.6-10 ng / ml. The kinin generated was at the same concentration after incubation of kallikrein with blood for 15 s or 120 seconds. Intravenous infusions of kallikrein at (8-125 mU / kg) / min led to similar blood concentrations of kinin. These infusions induced substantial falls in blood pressure.3. Aprotinin inhibited the generation of kinin by kallikrein, but the concentration needed in vivo was 20,000 times higher than would be expected from the definition of the units.4. After intravenous injection of large doses of aprotinin, the kallikrein-inhibiting activity passed off within 40-60 minutes. At the same time, there was a gradual reduction in kininase activity, so that the half life of bradykinin in blood increased from a mean of 13 s to 40 seconds. This effect reached a maximum 1-3 h after injection of aprotinin.5. It is suggested that a metabolite of aprotinin is responsible for the kininase inhibition and that this effect may limit the usefulness of aprotinin in man.     

Does insulin release kinins in rats?

Rat uterus maintained in situ was used as a bioassay of kinins possibly released in vivo by hyperglycaemia or insulin. Intravenous injections of bradykinin induced contractions of rat uterus which were suppressed by HOE 140, a bradykinin B2 receptor antagonist. Des-Arg9-bradykinin, a kinin B1 receptor agonist, did not elicit any response. After propranolol, the effects of bradykinin were enhanced and dose-dependent. This potentiation did not appear in adrenalectomized rats. Captopril, an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor, largely increased the effects of bradykinin. In animals pretreated with propranolol, captopril and atosiban, an oxytocin antagonist, intravenous infusion of glucose induced hyperglycaemia and after a delay increased the uterine contractile activity. This contractile effect of glucose was abolished by HOE 140. Infusion of insulin with glucose induced contractions of the uterus. These responses did not appear or were suppressed by HOE 140 or by soya bean trypsin inhibitor (SBTI), a plasma kallikrein inhibitor. These results are direct evidence that insulin induces a release of kinins.     

Effect of bromelain on kaolin-induced inflammation in rats

The effects of stem bromelain on the plasma kallikrein system, bradykinin levels and plasma exudation at the inflammatory site were examined in rats with a kaolin-induced inflammation of an air pouch. Bromelain (5, 7.5 mg/kg) caused a dose-dependent decrease of bradykinin levels at the inflammatory site and a parallel decrease of the prekallikrein levels in sera. Plasma exudation was also reduced dose dependently. Bradykinin-degrading activity in sera was elevated after treatment with bromelain, although it was unchanged in the pouch fluid. These data indicate that bromelain inhibits plasma exudation through inhibiting the generation of bradykinin at the inflammatory site via depletion of the plasma kallikrein system.     

Dextran-induced anaphylactoid reaction in man: altered reactivity of high molecular weight kininogen

Normal levels of factor XII and of high and low molecular weight kininogens (HMWK and LMWK) were registered in plasma specimens from 5 individuals who had developed anaphylactoid reactions upon injection of dextran during surgery (dextran reactors, DR). Factor XII was assayed as prekallikrein activator (PKA) activated with kaolin at 0 degrees, and kininogen fractions were estimated through the release of kinin caused by plasma kallikrein or hog pancreas kallikrein (HPK). Subnormal levels of factor XII apparently present in plasma from one DR, and after affinity chromatography on a lysine-Sepharose column also in plasma from another DR, were normalized by addition of plasma deficient in factor XII or by addition of purified HMWK. Treatment of plasma from DR with acetone (25% v/v) induced a conversion of HMWK into a state which was non-functional as a cofactor in the surface-dependent activation of factor XII, and the passage of plasma from DR through a lysine-Sepharose column altered the HMWK present to a substance that released kinin only very slowly by incubation with HPK. It is concluded that the treatments mentioned will favour the activation in plasma from DR of a factor that will cause the conversion of HMWK. Previous experiments with rat plasma demonstrated that plasmin and also a plasmin-like factor without affinity for lysine-Sepharose were able to destroy the capacity of HMWK to function as a cofactor in the surface-dependent activation of factor XII, without a corresponding release of kinin.     

Studies on the vascular and hematological changes induced by ellagic acid in rats

We compared the major changes induced by ellagic acid (EA), a Hageman factor activator, in normal rats and in kininogen-deficient Brown Norway rats. In normal rats, large doses of EA induced a congestion of lymph nodes, spleen and liver, a prolongation of activated partial thromboplastin time, the consumption of prekallikrein, high molecular weight kininogen and fibrinogen, as well as the stimulation of platelets with their accumulation in lungs, liver and spleen. A systemic hypotension of long duration was also observed. The fibrinogen consumption, the thrombocytopenia and the lengthening of activated partial thromboplastin time were dose-dependent. In kininogen-deficient rats, EA induced only a minimal congestion of lymphoid tissues, the accumulation of platelets in lungs, a decrease of plasma fibrinogen and a short-lasting hypotension. It is concluded that the vascular changes induced by blood coagulation with ellagic acid resulted mainly from kinin formation.     

Reduction of sodium deoxycholic acid-induced scratching behaviour by bradykinin B2 receptor antagonists

1. Subcutaneous injection of sodium deoxycholic acid into the anterior of the back of male ddY mice elicited dose-dependent scratching of the injected site with the forepaws and hindpaws. 2. Up to 100 microg of sodium deoxycholic acid induced no significant increase in vascular permeability at the injection site as assessed by a dye leakage method. 3. Bradykinin (BK) B2 receptor antagonists, FR173657 and Hoe140, significantly decreased the frequency of scratching induced by sodium deoxycholic acid. 4. Treatment with aprotinin to inhibit tissue kallikrein reduced the scratching behaviour induced by sodium deoxycholic acid, whereas treatment with soybean trypsin inhibitor to inhibit plasma kallikrein did not. 5. Although injection of kininase II inhibitor, lisinopril together with sodium deoxycholic acid did not alter the scratching behaviour, phosphoramidon, a neutral endopeptidase inhibitor, significantly increased the frequency of scratching. 6. Homogenates of the skin excised from the backs of mice were subjected to gel-filtration column chromatography followed by an assay of kinin release by trypsin from each fraction separated. Less kinin release from the fractions containing kininogen of low molecular weight was observed in the skin injected with sodium deoxycholic acid than in normal skin. 7. The frequency of scratching after the injection of sodium deoxycholic acid in plasma kininogen-deficient Brown Norway Katholiek rats was significantly lower than that in normal rats of the same strain, Brown Norway Kitasato rats. 8. These results indicate that BK released from low-molecular-weight kininogen by tissue kallikrein, but not from high-molecular-weight kininogen by plasma kallikrein, may be involved in the scratching behaviour induced by the injection of sodium deoxycholic acid in the rodent.     

Zur Natur der in menschlichem Plasma durch Pankreaskallikrein,Glaskontakt und Säurebehandlung gebildeten Kinine

Zusammenfassung Die Art der Kinine, die in menschlichem Plasma durch Pankreaskallikrein entsteht, wurde mit einem biologischen Verfahren und chromatographisch untersucht. Um eine Inaktivierung der gebildeten Kinine und des zugesetzten Pankreaskallikrein zu verhindern, wurde das Plasma mit Säure vorbehandelt und mit Phenanthrolin versetzt.Pankreaskallikrein bildet in Plasma nur Kallidin. Daneben entsteht auch Bradykinin, was auf die Aktivierung eines endogenen kininbildenden Systems während der Säurebehandlung zurückzuführen ist. Dieser endogene Prozeß stört die quantitative Bestimmung von Kininogen durch Umsatz mit Pankreaskallikrein. Er läßt sich verhindern, wenn man nur kurz inkubiert und dafür eine hohe Konzentration von Pankreaskallikrein einsetzt.In vorher mit Glaskontakt aktiviertem Plasma entsteht durch Inkubation mit Pankreaskallikrein noch immer Kininaktivität, die aber nur aus Kallidin besteht. Das endogene, Bradykinin entwickelnde System ist nach Glasaktivierung erschöpft.Während der Glasaktivierung entsteht ein Kinin, bei dem es sich vermutlich um Bradykinin handelt.

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Summary The nature of the kinins which are formed in human plasma by pancreatic kallikrein, has been investigated using biological and chromatographical methods. In order to prevent the inactivation of kinins formed and of kallikrein added, the plasma was pretreated with acid, and phenanthroline was added.Pancreatic kallikrein forms only kallidin in human plasma. In addition, bradykinin appears, as a result of the action of endogenous kininogenases which are activated by the acid treatment. The endogenous kinin formation interferes with the quantitative estimation of the kininogen which is accessible to pancreatic kallikrein. It can be circumvented by short incubation with high doses of pancreatic kallikrein.In plasma previously activated by contact with glass, pancreatic kallikrein still liberates kinin, but no bradykinin forms anymore. The endogenous formation of bradykinin is exhausted after contact of plasma with glass.The kinin which is liberated by glass contact activation, is probably identical with bradykinin.

     

Involvement of alpha 2-adrenoceptors in the activation of kininogenesis by clonidine

The effects of clonidine and alpha 2-adrenoceptor blocking agents, yohimbine and tolazoline on kininogen and prekallikrein levels in plasma and on blood pressure were investigated in male Wistar rats. Clonidine (0.5 mg/kg) decreased concentration of kininogen. Yohimbine (3 mg/kg) and tolazoline (5 mg/kg) counteracted this effect of clonidine and increased the kininogen level in plasma. Clonidine did not change the level of prekallikrein, however in rats receiving alpha 2-adrenoceptor blockers alone or together with clonidine kallikrein utilization was reduced, which indicated indirectly that the level of prekallikrein in plasma augmented. Yohimbine and tolazoline in the same doses (3 mg/kg and 5 mg/kg resp.) increased the blood pressure and counteracted the hypotensive action of clonidine, which indicated the presynaptic alpha 2-adrenoceptor blocking effect of the doses used. The data indicate that clonidine-induced activation of kininogenesis as well as its hypotensive effect are counteracted by yohimbine and tolazoline in doses blocking specifically presynaptic alpha 2-adrenoceptors. It can be suggested that alpha 2-adrenoceptors are involved in the kininogenesis-activating effect of clonidine.     

Kallikrein-kinin system activation by Lonomia obliqua caterpillar bristles: involvement in edema and hypotension responses to envenomation.

Lonomia obliqua envenomation induces an intense burning sensation at the site of contact and severe hemorrhage followed by edema and hypotension, and after few days death can occur usually due to acute renal failure. In order to understand more about the envenomation syndrome, the present study investigates the role played by kallikrein-kinin system (KKS) in edematogenic and hypotensive responses to the envenomation by L. obliqua. The incubation of L. obliqua caterpillar bristles extract (LOCBE) with plasma results in kallikrein activation, measured by cromogenic assay using the kallikrein synthetic substrate S-2302 (H-D-Pro-Phe-Arg-pNA). It was also showed that LOCBE was able to release kinins from low-molecular weight kininogen (LMWK). Moreover, it was demonstrated that previous administration of a kallikrein inhibitor (aprotinin) or bradykinin B2 receptor antagonist (HOE-140) significantly reduces the edema and hypotension in response to LOCBE, using mouse paw edema bioassay and mean arterial blood pressure analysis, respectively. The results demonstrate a direct involvement of the KKS in the edema formation and in the fall of arterial pressure that occur in the L. obliqua envenomation syndrome.     

The contractile response of isolated lingual arteries from rabbits treated with bacterial lipopolysaccharide via the stimulation of B1-receptors for kinins

The effect of intravenous injection of 10 micrograms of a lipopolysaccharide (endotoxin) extracted from E. coli to rabbits on the responses of isolated lingual arteries to des-Arg9-bradykinin (a specific kinins B1-receptor agonist) was studied. Endotoxin injection led to the appearance of the endothelium-independent contractile effect of des-Arg9-bradykinin in the arteries; endotoxin elicited this response when administered at 1, 5 or 20 hr before the experiment, in a time-interval dependent manner. The contractile response to des-Arg9-bradykinin of the arteries isolated from animals receiving endotoxin 20 hr before the experiment was attenuated by des-Arg9-[Leu8]-bradykinin (a specific inhibitor of kinins B1-receptor) or pretreatment of the animals with an inhibitor of protein synthesis (cycloheximide and actinomycin D). When compared with the effect of des-Arg9-bradykinin, bradykinin (a potent kinin B2-receptor, but weak B1-receptor stimulant) caused slight contraction of the arteries; however, this effect was not endotoxin-dependent and was not modified by des-Arg9-[Leu8]-bradykinin. Effect of in vitro preincubation with endotoxin of the arteries isolated from animals receiving saline 20 hr before the experiment was further studied. The preincubation (for 1 and 5 hr) with endotoxin of the arteries in the presence or absence of plasma had no effect on the sensitivity of the arteries to des-Arg9-bradykinin; the sensitivity was also unaffected in the presence or absence of endotoxin, thus suggesting that there is no interaction between endotoxin and some plasma-related factors with the appearance of the contraction in response to the kinin B1-receptor agonist in the arteries in vitro.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Activation of the bradykinin-forming cascade on endothelial cells: a role for heat shock protein 90

Bradykinin is a major mediator of swelling in C1 inhibitor deficiency as well as the angioedema seen with ACE inhibitors and may contribute to bronchial hyper-reactivity in asthma. Formation of bradykinin occurs in the fluid phase and along cell surfaces requiring interaction of Factor XII, prekallikrein and high molecular weight kininogen (HK). The mechanism by which initiation occurs is uncertain. Recent data suggest that activation of the kinin-forming cascade can occur on the surface of endothelial cells, even in the absence of Factor XII. We demonstrate herein that during a 2-h incubation time, plasma deficient in either Factor XII or high molecular weight kininogen (HK) fail to activate kinin-forming cascade as compared to normal plasma. With more prolonged incubation, Factor XII deficient plasma gradually activates and HK deficient plasma does not. Our data support both Factor XII-dependent (rapid) and Factor XII-independent (slow) mechanisms; the latter may require a cell-derived protein (possibly protease) to activate prekallikrein in the presence of zinc ion and HK. To further define this cellular factor, we demonstrated that both cytosolic and membrane fractions from endothelial cells possessed the ability to catalyze prekallikrein conversion to kallikrein in the presence of HK and zinc ion. We purified this factor from cytosol by affinity chromatography employing corn trypsin inhibitor (CTI) as ligand. The fractions with peak activity were subjected to SDS-PAGE analysis, ligand blotted with biotinylated CTI, and positive bands were sequenced. Heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) was identified as one of the proteins. Zinc-dependent activation of the prekallikrein-HK complex on endothelial cells was inhibited upon the addition of polyclonal antibody to Hsp90 in a dose-dependent manner. Although the mechanism by which Hsp90 activates the kinin-forming cascade is not yet clear, this protein represents the cellular contribution to the reaction and may become the dominant mechanism in pathologic circumstances in which Hsp90 is highly expressed or secreted.