This handbook of kinin biology and biochemistry covers the current knowledge of kinins, a family of peptides involved in numerous physiological and pathophysiological processes. Recent publications have shown that the kinin system is highly relevant in a variety of disease states such as diabetes, multiple sclerosis and traumatic injuries. Furthermore, the first drug targeting system has just been approved for clinical use. The goal of this book is to provide advanced students and researchers a basic understanding of the kinin system and its role within the various organ systems.

The authors of this book are experts in their fields, including a Nobel Laureate.

1. History of the kallikrein-kinin system; Fritz, Erdös, Skidgel
2. Molecular and genetic aspects of the kallikrein-kinin system; Alhenc-Gelas, Girolami
3. Kinin receptor signaling and regulation; Leeb-Lundberg
4. Animal models in the kinin field; Pesquero, Turaça, Sales
5. Drugs in the kallikrein-kinin system; Marceau
6. Kallikrein-kinin system in the brain; Noda
7. The role of the renal kallikrein kinin system in physiology and pathology; Bascands, Klein, Buffin-Meyer, Schanstra
8. Kallikrein-kinin system in the heart; Tschöpe, Spillmann
9. Kallikrein-kinin system in the vessel wall; Madeddu, Kränkel
10. Kallikreins and kinin receptors. Modulators of skin homeostasis; Matus, Bhoola, Figueroa
11. Kallikrein-kinin system in the eye; Feener, Kita
12. Kallikrein-kinin system in reproductive organs; Monsees
13. Kallikrein-kinin system and thrombosis; Renné
14. Kinins: kallikreins and kinins in cancer; Bhoola, Figueroa, Ehrenfeld
15. Kallikrein-kinin system in pain; Calixto, Dutra, Bento, Marcon, Campos
16. Kallikrein-kinin system in inflammation; Ahluwalia, Duchene
17. Kallikrein-kinin system in diabetes; Kakoki, Smithies
18. Kallikrein-kinin system in angioedema; Cicardi, Gugno
19. Kinins in bacterial infections; Herwald, Potempa
20. The Kallikrein-kinin system in parasitic infections; Scharfstein, Svensjö
21. Kallikrein-kinin system in brain trauma and stroke; Kleinschnitz