1. Kinins exert a contractile effect on rabbit aortic rings via the stimulation of B1 receptors. Des-Arg9-bradykinin (BK) is more potent than BK on this receptor type. The mode of action of des-Arg9-BK on rabbit aortic tissue has been studied by both the aortic ring contractility assay and a cellular model using cultured aortic smooth muscle cells (SMCs). 2. The des-Arg9-BK-induced contractions in rabbit aortic rings were unaffected by pretreatments with nifedipine, indomethacin, REV-5901 (a 5-lipoxygenase blocker) and LY-83583 (a guanylyl cyclase inhibitor); however, the protein kinase inhibitors H-7 and H-9 significantly reduced the maximal effect of des-Arg9-BK. 3. The contractile responses to des-Arg9-BK in calcium-free Krebs solution were slightly but not significantly attenuated in amplitude, as compared to paired control tissues bathed in Krebs solution, and sustained plateaus of contraction were observed in the absence of Ca2+. However, Ca2+ replenishment further increased the kinin-induced contraction measured in Ca(2+)-free bathing fluid. 4. Despite the lack of evidence of a mediating role for prostaglandin in the mechanical response to des-Arg9-BK, the kinin stimulated the release of prostacyclin from rabbit aorta rings measured as immunoreactive 6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha (6-keto-PGF1 alpha). 5. Smooth muscle cells (SMCs) derived from the rabbit aorta exhibit functional responses to des-Arg9-BK in acute release of 6-keto-PGF1alpha and of inositol phosphate turnover which were inhibited by pretreatment with the B1 receptor antagonist, Lys[Leu8]des-Arg9-BK, but not by the B2 receptor antagonist, Hoe-140. Preincubation of the cells with interleukin- 1 (IL-1) 20 h before stimulation with the kinin had no effect on basal inositol phosphate turnover, but potentiated the acute effect of des-Arg9-BK.6. These results suggest that second mesengers derived from the action of phospholipase C are produced by SMCs when B1 receptors are activated in rabbit aortic tissue. Intracellular calcium stores are primarily mobilized by des-Arg9-BK, although receptor-controlled calcium influx has not been ruled out, and may contribute to initiate the contractile responses. The maintenance of the contractile state involves protein kinase C activity and is consistent with a current model of SMC function. The cell model retains some of the cardinal properties of B1 receptor-mediated vascular responses: endothelium independent PGI2 release and up-regulation by the cytokine IL-1. PGI2 is not involved in the mechanical response, possible because the rabbit aorta is refractory to this prostaglandin.