Endothelium dependent expression and underlying mechanisms of des-Arg9-bradykinin-induced B1R-mediated vasoconstriction in rat portal vein

► Induction of endothelial B1R expression mediates portal vein contraction. ► Endothelial B1R expression is dependent of phosphorylation level of PI3K. ► PKC and PI3K regulate activation of transcription factors, CREB and AP-1, but not NF-κB in portal vein contraction. ► The COX-2 expression and activity are increased in the portal endothelium after in vitro incubation. ► Stimulation of endothelial B1R raises PLA2/COX-2-derived TXA2 levels in the portal vein.