Cytokine and estrogen stimulation of endothelial cells augments activation of the prekallikrein-high molecular weight kininogen complex: Implications for hereditary angioedema.

Abstract

When the prekallikrein-high molecular weight kininogen complex is bound to endothelial cells, prekallikrein is stoichiometrically converted to kallikrein because of release of heat shock protein-90 (Hsp90). Although bradykinin formation is typically initiated by factor XII autoactivation, it is also possible to activate factor XII either by kallikrein, thus formed, or by plasmin.