Potentiation by tumour necrosis factor-alpha of calcium signals induced by bradykinin and carbachol in human tracheal smooth muscle cells.

The effect of tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF alpha) on the increase in cytosolic free calcium ([Ca2+])i induced by carbachol and bradykinin (BK) was investigated in human tracheal smooth muscle cells in culture (TSMC). BK (10(-12)-10(-9) M) and carbachol (10(-7)-10(-3) M) produced a concentration-dependent increase in [Ca2+]i (pD2 = 10.73 +/- 0.05 and 5.57 +/- 0.03 respectively). The increase in [Ca2+]i was significantly enhanced for both agonists in TNF alpha-treated cells (10 ng ml-1 for 24 h). However, pD2 values were not modified (10.78 +/- 0.03 and 5.62 +/- 0.04 for BK and carbachol, respectively) suggesting that no change in the apparent receptor affinity occurred. Thus, TNF alpha induced-alterations in Ca2+ homeostasis in human TSMC may be a key mechanism underlying airway hyperreactivity.     

Troglitazone inhibits alpha1-adrenoceptor-induced DNA synthesis in vascular smooth muscle cells.

While vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation is important in hypertension, relatively little is known about the contribution of catecholamines. Novel insulin sensitizing agents, thiazolidinediones, have been demonstrated to inhibit angiotensin II-, basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-induced growth of vascular smooth muscle cells. We hypothesize that these agents might also inhibit the effect of the stimulation of alpha1-adrenoreceptors on the proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells. Troglitazone (1-20 microM), a member of the thiazolidinediones, significantly inhibited the stimulation of alpha1-adrenoreceptor-induced DNA synthesis, c-fos induction and mitogen-activated protein (MAP)-kinase activation. This effect was associated with inhibition by troglitazone of the transactivation of the serum response element (SRE), which regulates c-fos expression. Inhibition of c-fos induction by troglitazone appeared to occur via blockade of the upstream of MAP kinase activation in vascular smooth muscle cells. At this dose, troglitazone inhibited the ternary complex factor (TCF)-dependent activation, which is regulated by MAP kinase activation, but did not inhibit the TCF-independent SRE activation. Besides, the degree of the inhibitory effect of troglitazone on MAP kinase activation, DNA synthesis, c-fos expression differs. This may show that troglitazone work on multiple sites. These results suggest that troglitazone is a potent inhibitor of vascular smooth muscle cells proliferation through the downregulation of c-fos expression and may be a useful agent for prevention of atherosclerosis which is a result of hypertension.     

Alpha 1-adrenergic stimulation and beta 2-adrenergic inhibition of DNA synthesis in vascular smooth muscle cells

Effects of catecholamines on DNA synthesis in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) were investigated in a chemically defined medium that included insulin, transferrin, and sodium selenite. Smooth muscle-rich preparation was obtained from rat aortic media and VSMC were further purified by cell cloning. A clone that was positive for smooth muscle actin and was negative for the coagulation factor VIII was used in this study. The fetal calf serum-induced proliferation was enhanced by alpha-adrenergic and inhibited by beta-adrenergic stimulation. When cells of low passages were used, dose-response curves for norepinephrine were biphasic; when cells were subconfluent, norepinephrine stimulated DNA synthesis at as low as 1 nM and was apparently ineffective at more than 100 nM. When cells were confluent, the effect of norepinephrine was inhibitory at lower concentrations (less than 1 nM) and stimulatory at relatively higher concentrations. Cells of higher passages exhibited only inhibitory effects of the amine. Stimulatory and inhibitory effects on DNA synthesis were mediated through alpha 1- and beta 2-adrenergic receptors, respectively. Thus, the alpha 1-agonist phenylephrine was more potent than the alpha 2-agonist clonidine in stimulating DNA synthesis. An alpha 1-adrenergic antagonist, prazosin, was more effective than the alpha 2-adrenergic antagonist yohimbine in antagonizing the stimulatory effect of norepinephrine. beta-Adrenergic agonists inhibited DNA synthesis with IC50 values in the nanomolar range; the rank order of potency of agonists was isoproterenol greater than salbutamol greater than or equal to (-)-epinephrine much greater than (-)-norepinephrine, consistent with beta 2-receptor specificity. (+)-Epinephrine or (+)-norepinephrine, the stereoisomers of the catecholamines, were ineffective. The inhibitory effects of norepinephrine were reversed by beta-adrenergic antagonists, with the rank order of potency of pindolol greater than butoxamine greater than atenolol, consistent with beta 2-receptor specificity. The dose-response curves of norepinephrine, therefore, seemed to be determined by a balance between alpha 1-receptor-mediated stimulation and beta 2-receptor-mediated inhibition of DNA synthesis. Minimum time required for exhibiting alpha 1-adrenergic or beta 2-adrenergic effects was between 6 and 15 hr, suggesting that the G0 or G1 phase of the cell cycle might be the site of action. These results show that catecholamines dually modulate DNA synthesis in VSMC through specific adrenergic receptors.     

Ginsenoside Rg1 inhibits proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells stimulated by tumor necrosis factor-α

AIM: To investigate the proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) affected by ginsenoside Rg1 and further explore the molecular mechanism of ginsenoside Rg1 using proteomics. METHODS: The proliferation of VSMC was measured by MTS assay kit and flow cytometry. Proteomic alterations were analyzed using two-dimensional electrophoresis and peptide mass fingerprinting. Differential proteins found in proteomics were confirmed by RT-PCR. RESULTS: The proliferation of VSMC was enhanced significantly after tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) treatment, and ginsenoside Rg1 treatment inhibited proliferation in a dose-dependent manner. Proteomic analysis showed 24 protein spots were changed, including 17 spots that were increased and 7 spots that were decreased. Ginsenoside Rg1 could restore the expression levels of these proteins, at least partly, to basic levels of untreated cells. The expression of G-protein coupled receptor kinase, protein kinase C (PKC)-zeta, N-ras protein were decreased, while cycle related protein p21 was increased by ginsenoside Rg1 in TNF-alpha treated VSMC. CONCLUSION: PKC-zeta and p21 pathway might be the mechanism for inhibitory effects of ginsenoside Rg1 on proliferation of VSMC.     

Induction of cyclo-oxygenase-2 by cytokines in human cultured airway smooth muscle cells: novel inflammatory role of this cell type

1. Cyclo-oxygenase (COX) is the enzyme that converts arachidonic acid to prostaglandin H₂ (PGH₂) which can then be further metabolized to prostanoids which modulate various airway functions. COX exists in at least two isoforms. COX-1 is expressed constitutively, whereas COX-2 is expressed in response to pro-inflammatory stimuli. Prostanoids are produced under physiological and pathophysiological conditions by many cell types in the lung. However, the regulation of the different COX isoforms in human airway smooth muscle (HASM) cells has not yet been determined.
2. COX-1 and COX-2 protein were measured by Western blot analysis with specific antibodies for COX-1 and COX-2. COX-2 mRNA levels were assessed by Northern blot analysis by use of a COX-2 cDNA probe. COX activity was determined by measuring conversion of either endogenous or exogenous arachidonic acid to three metabolites, PGE₂, thromboxane B₂ or 6-ketoPGF_1α by radioimmunoassay.
3. Under control culture conditions HASM cells expressed COX-1, but not COX-2, protein. However, a mixture of cytokines (interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumour necrosis factor α (TNFα) and interferon γ (IFNγ) each at 10 ng ml⁻¹) induced COX-2 mRNA expression, which was maximal at 12 h and inhibited by dexamethasone (1 μM; added 30 min before the cytokines). Furthermore, COX-2 protein was detected 24 h after the cytokine treatment and the expression of this protein was also inhibited by dexamethasone (1 μM) and cyclohexamide (10 μg ml⁻¹; added 30 min before the cytokines).
4. Untreated HASM cells released low or undetectable amounts of all COX metabolites measured over a 24 h period. Incubation of the cells with the cytokine mixture (IL-1β, TNFα, IFNγ each at 10 ng ml⁻¹ for 24 h) caused the accumulation of PGE₂ and 6-keto-PGF_1α.
5. In experiments where COX-2 metabolized endogenous stores of arachidonic acid, treatment of HASM cells with IL-1β in combination with TNFα caused a similar release of PGE₂ to that when the three cytokines were given in combination.
6. In other experiments designed to measure COX-2 activity directly, cells were treated with cytokines for 24 h before fresh culture medium was added containing exogenous arachidonic acid (30 μM for 15 min) after which PGE₂ was measured. IL-1β and TNFα increased COX-2 activity and an additional small increase was produced by the three cytokines in combination.
7. These findings suggest that the increased expression of COX-2 is intimately involved in the exaggerated release of prostanoids from HASM cells exposed to pro-inflammatory cytokines. These data indicate a role for airway smooth muscle cells, in addition to their contractile function, as inflammatory cells involved in the production of mediators which may contribute to the inflammatory response seen in diseases such as asthma.

     

Regulation of histamine H1 receptor coupling by dexamethasone in human cultured airway smooth muscle.

1. The regulation of histamine-induced [3H]-inositol phosphate and intracellular calcium responses in human cultured airway smooth muscle cells was studied. 2. Histamine induced concentration-dependent [3H]-inositol phosphate formation (EC50 4 microM). This response was inhibited by a range of selective H1 receptor antagonists but not by the H2-selective antagonist, tiotidone or the H3 receptor-selective antagonist, thioperamide, indicating that an H1 receptor is involved in this response in human cultured airway smooth muscle cells. 3. Preincubation of human cultured airway smooth muscle cells with concentrations of dexamethasone > 10 nM for 22 h produced concentration-dependent inhibition of histamine-induced inositol phosphate formation. The maximum inhibition observed was 45% of the response in control cells. The inhibitory effect of dexamethasone was itself reversed by prior exposure to the glucocorticoid receptor antagonist, RU38486 (10 microM). Preincubation for 22 h with 1 microM dexamethasone produced inhibition of the inositol phosphate response to histamine to all concentrations of histamine inducing significant inositol phosphate formation in these cells. In contrast, the response to the G protein activator, NaF (0.1-20 mM) was unaltered by preincubation with dexamethasone. 4. Preincubation of human airway smooth muscle cells with 1 microM dexamethasone for time periods of < 6 h failed to inhibit histamine-induced inositol phosphate formation in human airway smooth muscle cells. 5. Histamine also induced concentration-dependent elevation of intracellular calcium levels in Fura 2-loaded human airway smooth muscle cells. This response was inhibited by preincubation with 1 microM dexamethasone. 6. We conclude that signal transduction through the H1 receptor in human airway smooth muscle is subject to regulation by dexamethasone and that this may in part account for the protective effect of dexamethasone against spasmogen-induced contractile responses in the airways.     

Thrombin induces DNA synthesis and phosphoinositide hydrolysis in airway smooth muscle by activation of distinct receptors

Chronic airway inflammation induces numerous structural changes of the airways involving hypertrophy and hyperplasia of airway smooth muscle (ASM). Thrombin has been identified in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of asthmatic subjects and displays potent bronchoconstrictor and mitogenic activity towards ASM. This study has addressed which proteinase-activated receptors (PARs) and signalling pathways are involved in mediating distinct effects of thrombin. Using cultured bovine tracheal smooth muscle (BTSM) cells as a model system, thrombin stimulated a marked increase in [³H]inositol phosphate ([³H]InsPs) accumulation, which was fully mimicked by a selective PAR1 activating peptide. In contrast, PAR1, PAR2, PAR3 and PAR4 activating peptides were unable to replicate the ability of thrombin to stimulate DNA synthesis as assessed by [³H]thymidine incorporation. Further investigation demonstrated that the mitogenic effect of thrombin did not involve stimulation of PDGF secretion but did involve activation of PDGF or EGF receptors and a G_i/o-dependent activation of phosphoinositide 3-kinase. Thrombin, but not the PAR1, PAR2, PAR3 or PAR4 activating peptides was able to stimulate PtdIns(3,4,5)P₃ mass accumulation. PAR3 antisense oligonucleotides substantially inhibit thrombin-stimulated [³H]thymidine incorporation and PtdIns(3,4,5)P₃ generation but had no effect on thrombin-induced phosphoinositide hydrolysis. These data indicate that while PI hydrolysis and Ca²⁺ mobilisation induced by thrombin operates via PAR1-dependent activation of phospholipase C, phosphoinositide 3-kinase activation and DNA synthesis occurs via a distinct proteinase-activated receptor pathway, possibly involving PAR3.     

Expression of cyclo-oxygenase-2 in human airway smooth muscle is associated with profound reductions in cell growth

1. It is now accepted that uncontrolled proliferation of human airway smooth muscle (HASM) cells contributes, in many cases, to the chronic stages of asthma. However, the physiological and pathophysiological processes regulating cell growth and division in the airway are not clear. We have recently shown that the immediate early gene, cyclo-oxygenase-2, is induced by cytokines in HASM cells. Since cyclo-oxygenase metabolites, such as prostaglandin (PG) E₂ have been shown to modulate HASM cell growth, we have investigated any autocrine action of endogenously released cyclo-oxygenase-1/2 products on the proliferative responses in these cells.
2. HASM cells were cultured from healthy tissue obtained at lung or heart/lung transplantation. HASM cell proliferation was measured by [³H]-methyl thymidine uptake by cells and by cell counts. Cyclo-oxygenase-2 expression was measured by Western blot analysis and activity measured by the release of PGE₂, by radioimmunoasay.
3. HASM cells proliferated in response to foetal calf serum, a response that was greatly inhibited when cyclo-oxygenase-2 was induced with either interleukin-1β plus tumour necrosis factor-α or interleukin-1β, tumour necrosis factorα plus interferonγ (each at 10 ng ml⁻¹). The inhibitory effect of cytokines on HASM cell proliferation was reversed in a concentration dependent manner by either the mixed cyclo-oxygenase-1/-2 inhibitor, indomethacin or the selective cyclo-oxygenase-2 inhibitor, L-745,337 (each at 10 μM).
4. PGE₂ or the stable analogue of prostacyclin, cicaprost concentration-dependently (0.1 pmol to 1 μM) inhibited serum induced proliferation of HASM cells. By contrast, the TP receptor agonist, U46619 stimulated proliferation of HASM cells when cells were cultured without but not with serum. Other cyclo-oxygenase products, PGD₂, PGF_2α had no effect on cellular proliferation at concentrations up to 1 μM.
5. These observations illustrate a profound inhibitory effect of cyclo-oxygenase-2 induction on HASM cell proliferation, possibly via IP or EP receptor activation. Cyclo-oxygenase-2 induction has, thus far, been associated with the pro-inflammatory responses of plasma exudation and oedema formation and is assumed to be an enzyme worthy of selective inhibition in many disease states. However, our observations suggest that cyclo-oxygenase-2 can have an anti-inflammatory, anti-proliferative function in the airways. These observations may have importance in the use and development of therapies for airway disease such as asthma.

     

Release of granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor by human cultured airway smooth muscle cells: suppression by dexamethasone

Smooth muscle cells represent a significant percentage of the total cells in the airway but their contribution to the inflammatory response seen in airway disease has not been studied. Hence, we have looked at the release of the cytokine granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) in response to bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and the pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumour necrosis factor α (TNFα) and interferon γ (IFNγ). Human airway smooth muscle (HASM) cells released GM-CSF under basal conditions (45.4±13.1 pg ml⁻¹) that was significantly enhanced by IL-1β and TNFα with a maximal effect seen at 10 ng ml⁻¹ (1.31±0.07 ng ml⁻¹ and 0.72±0.16 ng ml⁻¹, respectively). In contrast, neither LPS nor IFNγ produced a significant increase in GM-CSF release. However, HASM cells exposed to IL-1β, TNFα and IFNγ generated more GM-CSF than that evoked by any cytokine alone (2.2±0.15 ng ml⁻¹). The release of GM-CSF elicited by the cytokine mixture was inhibited by cycloheximide and dexamethasone. These data suggest that HASM cells might play an active part in initiating and/or perpetuating airway inflammation in addition to controlling airway calibre.     

Production of PGE2 by bovine cultured airway smooth muscle cells and its inhibition by cyclo-oxygenase inhibitors.

1. Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) is thought to be an important inhibitory modulator of inflammatory processes in the airway. It inhibits inflammatory cell function and cholinergic neurotransmission in vitro and roles have been postulated in vivo in refractoriness and in the mechanism of action of the diuretic agent, frusemide. 2. The production of PGE2 by bovine cultured airway smooth muscle cells has been studied under a range of conditions. The effects of cyclo-oxygenase inhibitors (flurbiprofen, indomethacin, acetyl salicylic acid) on serum-induced production of PGE2 were assessed over a range of concentrations (10(-7)-10(-4) M). 3. Serum-stimulated production of PGE2 in control wells ranged from 350 to 800 ng PGE2 ml-1 in cells from different animals. All three cyclo-oxygenase inhibitors inhibited PGE2 production with an order of potency, flurbiprofen > indomethacin > acetyl salicylic acid. Log IC50 values were -6.24 for flurbiprofen, -5.23 for indomethacin and -3.50 for acetyl salicylic acid. 4. PGE2 production was stimulated by arachidonic acid (10(-5) M) or addition of the proinflammatory mediator, bradykinin (10(-8)-10(-5) M). 5. Incubation of cells for 24 h with 5 bromo deoxyuridine (BRDU) (10(-4) M) to prevent DNA synthesis did not alter PGE2 production in response to serum, suggesting that it was not a function of proliferation per se. 6. Our study suggests that airway smooth muscle may be an important source of PGE2. Production of PGE2 may be a novel feedback mechanism whereby airway smooth muscle cells can negatively modulate airways inflammation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Interleukin-1β-induced, nitric oxide-dependent and -independent inhibition of vascular smooth muscle contraction

Stimulation of vascular smooth muscle by bacterial lipopolysaccharide has been shown to produce interleukin-1β and to induce vasodilation in septic shock. To understand the mechanisms of interleukin-1β-induced relaxation, we examined the effects of interleukin-1β on contractility and cyclic GMP contents of vascular smooth muscle. After treatment of the rat aorta with interleukin-1β (20 ng/ml) for 6 h, the cyclic GMP content increased and the contraction induced by phenylephrine (1 μM) was partially inhibited. An inhibitor of nitric oxide (NO) synthase, N^G-monomethyl-

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-arginine (

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-NMMA, 100 μM), prevented the inhibitory effect of interleukin-1β. After treatment with interleukin-1β for 24 h, the phenylephrine-induced contraction was inhibited more strongly. Neither

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-NMMA (100 μM) nor aminoguanidine (100 μM) reversed the inhibition, whereas methylene blue (10 μM) partially reversed the inhibition. After treatment with interleukin-1β for 12 or 24 h, the cyclic GMP content increased but to a level lower than that obtained with a 6-h treatment. The effects of sodium nitroprusside (1 μM) to inhibit the phenylephrine-induced contraction and to increase the cyclic GMP content were markedly suppressed by the 24-h interleukin-1β treatment. In contrast, the 24-h interleukin-1β treatment did not change the ability of 8-bromo-cGMP to relax the phenylephrine-stimulated aorta. Addition of

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-NMMA (1 mM) during the 24 h treatment prevented NO production and preserved the sodium nitroprusside-induced cGMP generation by interleukin-1β. The 24 h interleukin-1β treatment increased the threshold concentration of KCl needed to induce contraction without changing the maximum contraction. In the presence of 25.4 mM KCl or the non-selective K⁺ channel inhibitor, tetraethylammonium, the inhibitory effect of the 24-h interleukin-1β treatment on phenylephrine-induced contraction was restored. These results suggest that interleukin-1β inhibits vascular smooth muscle contraction by a time-dependent, dual mechanism. After a 6-h treatment with interleukin-1β, the NO/cyclic GMP system is activated. After a 24-h interleukin-1β treatment, in contrast, the NO/cyclic GMP system may be desensitized and the contraction of vascular smooth muscle is inhibited by another mechanism, possibly membrane hyperpolarization.     

Methylenedioxymethamphetamine-induced suppression of interleukin-1beta and tumour necrosis factor-alpha is not mediated by serotonin

The purpose of the present study was to examine the role of serotonin release in methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)-induced immunosuppression in rats. We examined the effect of pretreatment with the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor paroxetine, and the tryptophan hydroxylase inhibitor para-chlorophenylalanine on MDMA-induced suppression of interleukin-1beta and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha secretion following an in vivo lipopolysaccharide challenge. Although paroxetine blocked MDMA-induced serotonin depletion in the cortex and hypothalamus, it failed to alter the suppressive effect of MDMA on lipopolysaccharide-induced TNF-alpha secretion. Similarly, although para-chlorophenylalanine caused a 90% depletion in cortical and hypothalamic serotonin content, it failed to alter the suppressive effect of MDMA on lipopolysaccharide-induced interleukin-1beta or TNF-alpha secretion. In conclusion, although MDMA is a potent releaser of serotonin, the suppressive effects of MDMA on lipopolysaccharide-induced proinflammatory cytokine secretion cannot be attributed to its serotonin-releasing properties.     

Induction of cyclo-oxygenase-2 by cytokines in human pulmonary epithelial cells: regulation by dexamethasone.

1. Cyclo-oxygenase metabolizes arachidonic acid to prostaglandin H2 (PGH2) and exists in at least two isoforms. Cyclo-oxygenase-1 (COX-1) is expressed constitutively whereas COX-2 is induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and some cytokines in vitro and at the site of inflammation in vivo. Epithelial cells may be an important source of prostaglandins in the airways and we have, therefore, investigated the expression of COX-1 or COX-2 isoforms in primary cultures of human airway epithelial cells or in a human pulmonary epithelial cell line (A549). 2. COX-1 or COX-2 protein was measured by western blot analysis using specific antibodies to COX-2 and selective antibodies to COX-1. The activity of COX was assessed by the conversion of either endogenous or exogenous arachidonic acid to four metabolites, PGE2, PGF2 alpha, thromboxane B2 or 6-oxo PGF1 alpha measured by radioimmunoassay. Thus, COX-1 or COX-2 activity was measured under two conditions; initially the accumulation of the COX metabolites formed from endogenous arachidonic acid was measured after 24 h. In other experiments designed to measure COX activity directly, cells were treated with cytokines for 12h before fresh culture medium was added containing exogenous arachidonic acid (30 microM) for 15 min after which COX metabolites were measured. 3. Untreated primary cells or A549 cells contained low amounts of COX-1 or COX-2 protein.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Bradykinin B1 and B2 receptors, tumour necrosis factor alpha and inflammatory hyperalgesia

The effects of BK agonists and antagonists, and other hyperalgesic/antihyperalgesic drugs were measured (3 h after injection of hyperalgesic drugs) in a model of mechanical hyperalgesia (the end-point of which was indicated by a brief apnoea, the retraction of the head and forepaws, and muscular tremor). DALBK inhibited responses to carrageenin, bradykinin, DABK, and kallidin. Responses to kallidin and DABK were inhibited by indomethacin or atenolol and abolished by the combination of indomethacin + atenolol. DALBK or HOE 140, given 30 min before, but not 2 h after, carrageenin, BK, DABK and kallidin reduced hyperalgesic responses to these agents. A small dose of DABK+ a small dose of BK evoked a response similar to the response to a much larger dose of DABK or BK, given alone. Responses to BK were antagonized by HOE 140 whereas DALBK antagonized only responses to larger doses of BK. The combination of a small dose of DALBK with a small dose of HOE 140 abolished the response to BK. The hyperalgesic response to LPS (1 microg) was inhibited by DALBK or HOE 140 and abolished by DALBK + HOE 140. The hyperalgesic response to LPS (5 microg) was not antagonized by DALBK + HOE 140. These data suggest: (a) a predominant role for B2 receptors in mediating hyperalgesic responses to BK and to drugs that stimulate BK release, and (b) activation of the hyperalgesic cytokine cascade independently of both B1 and B2 receptors if the hyperalgesic stimulus is of sufficient magnitude.