1. A group of peptides formed in the body that cause blood vessels to dilate and increase vascular permeability; related to kinins and involved in inflammatory responses.
Usage: biochemistry; medical; plural form

Examples

• Kallidins are released during inflammatory reactions in the body.
• The kallidins play a role in regulating blood pressure and vascular function.
• Researchers studied how kallidins affect tissue permeability in allergic responses.
• Kallidins are produced from kininogen by the enzyme kallikrein.