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Splenocytes from a female, BALB/c mouse immunized with bradykinin conjugated to ovalbumin with toluene diisocyanate were fused with mouse myeloma cells, X63/Ag8.653, using polyethylene glycol. Seventy-nine hybridomas were identified by ELISA to be making kinin reactive antibodies. In preliminary specificity studies it was determined that all of these hybridomas were producing antibodies more reactive with des-Arg9-bradykinin than with bradykinin. ELISAs were developed with the five clones that displayed the highest affinities for des-Arg9-bradykinin. Radioimmunoassays were developed for 3 of these 5 clones as well as with 5 monoclonal antibodies previously described (Odya and Lee 1990). The most sensitive des-Arg9-bradykinin assay developed was a radioimmunoassay in which carboxypeptidase B-treated [Tyr5]-bradykinin was the labeled antigen, clone OLNBK-5 was the antibody, and dextran-coated charcoal was used to separate bound from free radioactivity. The concentration of des-Arg9-bradykinin that inhibited 50% of the radioactive peptide binding was 0.08 +/- 0.03 nM. The relative specificity of this assay (des-Arg9-bradykinin = 100%) was: 29% bradykinin and about 1% with each of the following: lysyl-bradykinin, methionyl-lysyl-bradykinin, des-Arg1-bradykinin and des-Phe8-Arg9-bradykinin.

Splenocytes from mice immunized with homogenous, polyclonal, rabbit kinin antibody (BK21) were fused using polyethylene glycol with the mouse myeloma cell line SP2/o. Eleven monoclonal antibodies, whose binding to BK21 could be inhibited by bradykinin, were obtained from 3 fusions. All of these anti-idiotypic antibodies were of the IgG1k isotype, except for one, which was an IgG2ak. An IgMk, auto-anti-idiotypic antibody, reactive with BK21 was obtained from a fusion of SP2/o cells and splenocytes from a mouse immunized with bradykinin conjugated with carbodiimide to keyhole limpet hemocyanin. Bradykinin could completely inhibit the binding of all of the anti-idiotypic antibodies to BK21 in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. This result is consistent with the anti-idiotypic antibodies being reactive with the ligand binding sites of BK21. It was possible to separate the anti-idiotypic antibodies into 2 groups. The first group, 10 of the 12 antibodies tested, was more sensitive to inhibition by bradykinin than the second group and was not readily inhibited by des-Arg9-bradykinin. The second group was about 7 times more sensitive to inhibition by des-Arg9-bradykinin than by bradykinin. Further experiments will be needed to determine whether or not these monoclonal anti-idiotypic antibodies are "internal image" antibodies.

Ten monoclonal anti-idiotypic antibodies (mAB2s) were obtained from fusions of myeloma cells, X63/Ag8.653, and splenocytes from mice immunized with one of two monoclonal kinin antibodies (mAB1s). The interactions of these mAB2s, with four different mAB1s, which have similar kinin binding specificities, was examined. Five of the ten mAB2s cross-reacted with similar affinities, with all four mAB1s. In addition, these five mAB2s were able to inhibit biotinylated-kallidin binding to the mAB1s. This indicated that these mAB2s interact with the mAB1s at, or near, their ligand binding sites. These immunological results are consistent with these five mAB2s being "internal image" beta type anti-idiotypic 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.

A particulate fraction from cultured rat renomedullary interstitial cells (RRIC) was prepared for bradykinin (BK) binding studies. Incubation of three radiolabeled BK analogs, [125I-Tyr1]kallidin, [125I-Tyr5]-BK, and [125I-Tyr8]-BK, with the particulate fraction resulted in degradation of these peptides. Assay conditions which prevented hydrolysis of these radiolabeled kinins were determined. Under these conditions, direct binding studies were performed with [125I-Tyr1]kallidin (TlK) as the radioligand. BK binding affinity, apparent Kassoc. = 1.3 X 10(9) M-1, and specificity, determined with 51 BK analogs, were consistent with those expected of a B2 BK receptor.

125I-derivatives of Tyr1-kallidin, Tyr5-bradykinin, and Tyr8-bradykinin were prepared. A technique for purification of the monoiodinated derivative is described. Bradykinin antisera were tested for their ability to bind the mono-iodinated analogues. Each antiserum had a characteristic preference for one of the three labeled peptides. The sensitivity of each antiserum was greatest when it was used with the label bound most avidly by that antiserum. The specificity of an antiserum was not changed by varying the labeled analogue. Some common enzyme inhibitors had significant effects on the antigen-antibody reactions. Lecithin interfered with the reaction between antiserum and Tyr1-kallidin. The data suggest that antisera for bradykinin radioimmunoassay be tested with several radioactive iodobradykinins to maximize their usefulness. In addition, enzyme inhibitors used to stabilize levels of kinins in biological fluids should be tested for their effects on the assay. Biologic samples rich in lipid may give spurious radioimmunoassay results unless they are freed of those phospholipids that can bind labeled and unlabeled peptides.

[125I-Tyr1]Kallidin (T1K), a bradykinin (BK) analog with biological potency comparable to BK, was used as a probe for BK receptor-like binding from bovine uterine myometrium. BK binding exhibited a high affinity, Kdissoc = 1.65 X 10(-10) M. The specificity of T1K binding was examined with forty-four BK analogs. Comparison of the binding inhibitory potencies with the relative biological potencies of these analogs on isolated rat uterus resulted in a good correlation, r = 0.87. BK binding activity was solubilized with CHAPS, 3-[(3-cholamidopropyl)dimethylammonio]-1-propanesulfonate, a zwitterionic detergent. The solubilized binding activity exhibited a BK binding affinity, Kdissoc = 2.25 X 10(-10) M, and a specificity for three 125I-labeled kinins similar to those of the particulate BK receptor-like binding activity.

Antisera to [des-Arg9]-bradykinin were elicited in rabbits immunized with the peptide conjugated to thyroglobulin and/or ovalbumin. Sera were screened for the presence of antibody with three radioactive antigens, mono-125I-labeled derivatives of [Tyr1, des-Arg]-kallidin, [Tyr, des-Arg]-bradykinin, and [Tyr, des-Arg]-bradykinin that were prepared by treating mono-125I-labeled [Tyr]-kallidin, [Tyr]-bradykinin, and [Tyr]-bradykinin with carboxypeptidase B. Of the six animals immunized, five produced antibodies to [des-Arg]-bradykinin as evidenced by the ability of their sera to bind at least 33% of the added radioactivity at a final dilution of 1:500. Sensitivity and specificity studies were performed with each labeled antigen and a dilution of antiserum that bound 30-50% of the radioactivity. The best labeled antigen-antibody combination, with respect to titer, sensitivity, and specificity was obtained with [mono-125I-Tyr, des Arg]-bradykinin and serum from a rabbit immunized with [des-Arg]-bradykinin conjugated to ovalbumin with toluene diisocyanate. The lowest concentration of [des-Arg]-bradykinin inhibiting 50% of this radioactive antigen binding was 0.23 ng/ml and the lowest concentration which could be distinguished from no [des-Arg]-bradykinin added was 67 pg/ml. This antiserum cross-reacts with bradykinin and lysyl-bradykinin about 9% but not with methionyl-lysyl-bradykinin.

Post-proline cleaving enzyme (PPCE) was purified from porcine kidney cytosol. The purified enzyme bound [125I-Tyr5]-bradykinin but neither [125I-Tyr1]-kallidin nor [125I-Tyr8]-bradykinin. Scatchard analysis of the data was consistent with a single class of binding sites with a Kassoc = 1.3 +/- 0.1 X 10(8) M-1. The optimal pH for [125I-Tyr5]-bradykinin binding was 6.8. The specificity of binding was evaluated with sixty-seven bradykinin analogs. The catalytic activity of the enzyme was measured with N-benzyloxycarbonyl-Gly-Pro-methylcoumarinyl-7-amide (Z-Gly-Pro-MCA). The optimal pH for hydrolysis of this substrate was broad and centered at 8.3. The apparent Km and Vmax were obtained from Lineweaver and Burk plots and were 4.8 +/- 0.4 X 10(-5) M and 42 +/- 5 mumoles X mg-1 X min-1 respectively. The IC50 values for bradykinin, diisopropylfluorophosphate (DFP), and N-benzyloxycarbonyl-Pro-Prolinal (Z-Pro-Prolinal) to inhibit Z-Gly-Pro-MCA hydrolysis by PPCE were 5.9 +/- 1.4 X 10(-7) M, 8.8 +/- 3.1 X 10(-7) and 7.9 +/- 0.3 X 10(-9) M respectively. Corresponding values for inhibition of [125I-Tyr5]-bradykinin binding by PPCE were 5.1 +/- 2.3 X 10(-9) M, 1.2 +/- 0.3 X 10(-6) M and 1.4 +/- 0.6 X 10(-8) M.

Bradykinin (BK) and [des-Arg9]-bradykinin (-9BK) concentrations in blood and urine samples from 18 normotensive subjects and 23 patients with low-renin essential hypertension were determined by radioimmunoassay. BK and -9BK levels in venous blood from normotensive subjects were 67.1 +/- 60.8 pg/ml and 204.1 +/- 44.5 (mean +/- S.D.), respectively, and levels in urine from normotensive subjects were 5.3 +/- 5.3 ng/ml and 1.6 +/- 1.2, respectively. The blood and urinary levels of BK and -9BK in low-renin essential hypertensives were not significantly different from those of normotensives and did not change when the hypertensives were treated with the new orally active angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor, enalapril (MK421). It has been proposed that BK levels do not change with ACE inhibition because under these conditions BK might be metabolized to -9BK by kininase I. Since -9BK levels did not increase with MK421 treatment, this possibility can be excluded. The absence of elevations in blood and urine BK and -9BK after administration of MK421 does not support an involvement of kinins in the mechanism of antihypertensive action of MK421 in these patients. On the basis of the data, it is not possible to exclude such an involvement, however, because local changes in kinin concentrations could occur that are not reflected by changes in circulating or urinary kinin levels.

Bradykinin and 22 of its analogs were evaluated for their abilities to inhibit the hydrolysis of [3H]hippurylglycylglycine by purified porcine kidney angiotensin I converting enzyme. The mean inhibitory concentration (IC50) for bradykinin was 1.2 +/- 0.2 X 10(-6) M. Except for Ile-Ser-bradykinin and [Sar4]-bradykinin, none of the kinin analogs were more potent in this regard than bradykinin. Bacitracin, gamma-aminobutyric acid, epsilon-aminocaproic acid, and structurally related compounds were also tested. The IC50 value for bacitracin was 1.9 +/- 0.4 X 10(-4) M, gamma-aminobutyric acid, 83.4 +/- 7.2 mM, and for epsilon-aminocaproic acid, 7.0 +/- 1.4 mM. Compounds were also evaluated for their abilities to prevent 125I-labelled [Tyr1]-kallidin binding to angiotensin I converting enzyme inhibited by EDTA. The IC50 values for bradykinin, bacitracin, gamma-aminobutyric acid, and epsilon-aminocaproic acid were 1.6 +/- 0.3 X 10(-8) M, 2.6 +/- 0.9 X 10(-6) M, greater than 291 mM, and 13.2 +/- 3.9 mM, respectively.

Prolylcarboxypeptidase was purified from human kidney 1200-fold with 18% yield. The enzyme had no cathepsin A activity and appeared to be homogeneous in gel electrophoresis. The molecular weight of prolylcarboxypeptidase was estimated to be 115,000 by gel filtration. Under denaturing conditions the enzyme dissociated into subunits of 45,000 and 66,500 molecular weight. The enzyme cleaved benzyloxycarbonyl (Cbz)-Pro-Phe, representing the COOH-terminal end of angiotensin II and des-Asp1-angiotensin II (angiotensin III), at a rate of 31 micronmol/h/mg of protein. The rate of hydrolysis increased when phenylalanine in the N-protected dipeptide was replaced with alanine, valine, or leucine or when the octapeptide angiotensin II or the heptapeptide angiotensin III were the substrates. The enzyme also cleaved the angiotensin II antagonist saralasin (Sar1-Ala8-angiotensin II). The Km values were 1 mM, 2mM, and 0.77 mM with Cbz-Pro-Phe, angiotensin II, and angiotensin III, respectively. The enzyme had an acid pH optimum (4.5 to 5.5), but hydrolyzed angiotensin III at pH 7 at 50% of the optimal rate. Prolylcarboxypeptidase was inhibited by diisopropyl phosphorofluoridate and pepstatin, but not by sequestering agents or -SH reagents.

Angiotensin I converting enzyme (ACE) was purified to homogeneity from porcine kidney in order to determine whether iodobradykinins bind to the enzyme and, if so, whether pGlu-Trp-Pro-Arg-Pro-Gin-Ile-Pro-Pro, SQ20881, a competitive ACE inhibitor, changes the conformation of the enzyme in such a way that it binds kinins with an affinity and specificity expected of a bradykinin (BK) receptor, i.e. where the BK potentiating action of SQ20881 involves an increase in the number of BK receptors due to a conformational change in ACE. 125I-Labeled derivatives of [Tyr1]-kallidin and [Tyr-8]-bradykinin bound to the EDTA-inhibited enzyme, and binding was inhibited by nonradioactive BK. [125I-Tyr5]-BK was not bound by the enzyme. Specificity of [125I-Tyr5]-kallidin (T1K) binding was tested with forty-eight BK analogs, and the concentrations of analogs that inhibited 50% of T1K binding were determined. BK at 1.6 +/- 0.3 X 10(-8) M inhibited 505 of T1K binding. In addition, the concentrations of analogs that decreased by 50% the rate of [3H]-Hip-Gly-Gly ([3H]-HGG) hydrolysis by ACE were assessed. BK at 1.2 +/- 0.2 X 10(-6) M decreased the rate of [3H]-HGG hydrolysis by 50%. A comparison between these concentrations of analogs for inhibition of T1K binding and [3H]-HGG hydrolysis yielded a high correlation coefficient (r = 0.85). The specificity of ACE binding was clearly different from that expected of a BK receptor. Compounds structurally unrelated to BK, such as 5Q20881, pGlu-Lys-Trp-Ala-Pro-OH (BPP5a) and angiotensin I, inhibited T1K binding and [3H]-HGG hydrolysis by ACE.

Post-proline cleaving enzyme (PPCE; EC 3.4.21.26) is a proline specific endopeptidase capable of hydrolyzing biologically active peptides. The present studies examined the hydrolysis of kinin- and angiotensin-related peptides by cytosolic PPCE purified from porcine kidney. PPCE hydrolysis of the synthetic substrate Z-Gly-Pro-MCA (30.7 +/- 0.3 mumol . min-1 . mg-1) was competitively inhibited by saralasin, bradykinin, des(Arg9)bradykinin, [Leu8], des(Arg9)bradykinin and angiotensin II (IC50 = 0.5 to 7.0 microM). Qualitative TLC studies demonstrated that each peptide was degraded by hydrolysis on the carboxyl side of proline residues (positions 7 or 8). Quantitative HPLC studies established that peptide degradation was optimal at pH 8.2 to 8.7 and was inhibited by the specific PPCE inhibitor Z-Pro-prolinal (IC50 = 0.8 +/- 0.1 nM). Conversely, degradation was unaffected by inhibitors of aminopeptidases (amastatin), neutral endopeptidase (phosphoramidon), carboxypeptidase N (MERGETPA) or angiotensin I converting enzyme (captopril). Apparent Km values, obtained from Lineweaver-Burk analysis, were comparable for all kinin and angiotensin peptides (Km = 5.5 to 12.8 microM), whereas Vmax values ranged from 1.7 mumol . min-1 . mg-1 for angiotensin II to 0.44 mumol . min-1 . mg-1 for saralasin. These data are consistent with a role for PPCE in the degradation of kinins and angiotensin in vivo.

Bradykinin (BK) receptor-like binding sites were solubilized from a particulate fraction of bovine uterine myometrium (BUM) using the zwitterionic detergent 3-[(3-cholamidopropyl)-dimethylammonio]-1-propane sulfonate (CHAPS). Scatchard analysis of [125I-Tyr1]kallidin (T1K) binding revealed a single class of soluble binding sites with KD = 0.35 nM and Bmax = 0.13 pmol/mg protein. The soluble binding sites exhibited a kinin-binding specificity comparable to that of the particulate BUM receptor-like sites. Soluble T1K binding association kinetics were first-order at the four T1K concentrations examined. A plot of the pseudo-first order rate constant (Kobs) versus T1K concentration was linear, and values for the association (k1) and dissociation (k-1) rate constants were obtained. These rate constants yielded a kinetically derived equilibrium dissociation constant (KD = 0.64 nM) which was comparable to that obtained by Scatchard analysis. Biphasic dissociation of bound T1K was resolved into rapid and slow dissociation phases. The rate constant (k-1) of the rapid dissociation phase was comparable to the dissociation rate constant determined in association experiments. A biphasic loss of soluble T1K binding activity was observed with storage at 10 degrees C.