ABSTRACT
I have spent my entire professional life at Harvard Medical School, beginning as a medical student. I have enjoyed each day of a diverse career in four medical subspecialties while following the same triad of preclinical areas of investigation-cysteinyl leukotrienes, mast cells, and complement-with occasional translational opportunities. I did not envision a career with a predominant preclinical component. Such a path simply evolved because I chose instinctively at multiple junctures to follow what proved to be propitious opportunities. My commentary notes some of the highlights for each area of interest and the mentors, collaborators, and trainees whose counsel has been immensely important at particular intervals or over an extended period.
Subject(s)
Allergy and Immunology/history , Receptors, Leukotriene/physiology , SRS-A/physiology , Androstanols/therapeutic use , Angioedemas, Hereditary/blood , Angioedemas, Hereditary/drug therapy , Bronchoconstriction/drug effects , CD55 Antigens/metabolism , Complement Activation/physiology , Complement Pathway, Alternative/physiology , Cromolyn Sodium/therapeutic use , Hemoglobinuria, Paroxysmal/metabolism , History, 20th Century , History, 21st Century , Mast Cells/cytology , Mast Cells/physiology , Prostaglandin D2/analogs & derivatives , Prostaglandin D2/urine , Receptors, Leukotriene/history , SRS-A/history , SRS-A/pharmacology , Stem Cells/cytology , Stem Cells/physiology , United StatesABSTRACT
The hypothesis of 35 years ago that slowreacting substance of anaphylaxis would prove to be a pathobiologic mediator of reversible airway disease in the human has been validated. The multidisciplinary approach required to achieve this goal has been particularly prominent and consistent for the entire period in the program described in this presentation.
