RESUMO
Cysteinyl leukotrienes are established mediators of bronchial asthma and have agonist roles analogous to those of histamine in allergic rhinitis. We now know that the substance originally termed slow-reacting substance of anaphylaxis was composed of three cysteinyl leukotrienes that act in the inflammatory response via receptors on smooth muscle and on bone marrow-derived inflammatory cells. K. Frank Austen describes the work culminating in the identification, biosynthesis and functional characterization of these moieties.
Assuntos
Anafilaxia/história , Asma/história , Cisteína/história , Fatores Imunológicos/história , Leucotrienos/história , Receptores de Leucotrienos/história , Anafilaxia/imunologia , Animais , Asma/imunologia , Medula Óssea/imunologia , Cisteína/metabolismo , Inglaterra , Cobaias , História do Século XX , História do Século XXI , Humanos , Fatores Imunológicos/metabolismo , Leucotrienos/metabolismo , Músculo Liso/imunologia , Ratos , Receptores de Leucotrienos/metabolismo , Estados UnidosRESUMO
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.
