title: Kinin system activation in vasculitis.
abstract: Vasculitis is a systemic autoimmune inflammatory disease, characterized by inflammation in and around vessel walls leading to perturbed vessel patency and tissue damage. Many different organs may be involved. In this review, pathogenetic mechanisms of vasculitis are discussed, with special reference to activation of the kinin system. Mechanisms of kinin system activation are described, ultimately leading to release of kinins from high molecular weight kininogen. These vasoactive peptides promote inflammation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Kinin system activation during vasculitis promotes inflammation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Clinical Sciences Lund, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.
authors.forename: Robin
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kahn
authors.forename: Diana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Karpman
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D007705:Kinins / Q000502:physiology*; D014657:Vasculitis / Q000209:etiology*
chemical_list: D007705:Kinins