The bradykinin B2 receptor mediates hypoxia/reoxygenation induced neuronal cell apoptosis through the ERK1/2 pathway

The bradykinin B2 receptor (B2R) mediates many physiological processes such as hypotension, inflammation and blood-vessel permeability. Hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) induces neuronal cell apoptosis. It was found that B2R expression was enhanced in primary cultured cortical neurons after H/R treatment. Addition of bradykinin (BK) alleviated the neuronal damage from H/R. This protective effect of BK was inhibited by the B2R antagonist, HOE140, and the ERK1/2 antagonist, PD98059. The phosphorylation of ERK1/2 was increased under H/R, and the addition of BK enhanced this effect. These results indicate that B2R plays an important role in protecting neurons from damage induced by H/R and this effect may function through the ERK1/2 pathway.