Activation of the plasma kallikrein-kinin system by Vibrio vulnificus protease.

Vibrio vulnificus protease enhanced hypodermic vascular permeability when injected into the dorsal skin of a guinea pig. Enhancement of permeability was observed within 2 min, and the permeability-enhancing reaction terminated at about 10 min postinjection. The permeability-enhancing reaction was greatly augmented by simultaneous injection of a kininase II inhibitor, whereas the reaction was inhibited by soybean trypsin inhibitor, a well-known inhibitor of plasma kallikrein. Furthermore, in vitro activation of plasma prekallikrein to kallikrein by V. vulnificus protease was observed. These results indicate that V. vulnificus protease enhances vascular permeability through activation of the plasma kallikrein-kinin system which generates bradykinin, factor in edema formation.