Dr Reynold Panettieri, Jr.

As a physician scientist, Dr Panettieri pioneered the use of translational in vitro and ex vivo models to define the molecular pathways modulating glucocorticoid insensitivity, excitation-contraction coupling and proliferation of human airway smooth muscle (ASM). ASM is the pivotal cell regulating bronchomotor tone and plays a key role in the pathogenesis of asthma and chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD), and in airway remodeling that manifests as irreversible airway obstruction. He was also one of the first to cultivate and characterize human airway smooth muscle cells and to discern how cytokines, important in asthma and COPD, impair ASM responsiveness to the relaxant responses of bronchodilators and promote airway hyperresponsiveness. Over the past 30 years, he has also served as a mentor for over 120 post-doctoral fellows, graduate and undergraduate students that provides a legacy of translational scientists in the field of molecular pharmacology. He has provided continued service to the BPS as an editor and senior editor of the BJP.