Raymond B. Penn, PhD
Robley Dunglison Professor of Pulmonary Research
Director, Center for Translational Medicine
Director of Pulmonary Research, Jefferson - Jane & Leonard Korman Lung Institute
Vice Chair of Research, Department of Medicine

Contact
1020 Locust Street
Jefferson Alumni Hall, Room 543
Philadelphia, PA 19107
215-955-9982
215-503-5731 fax
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Raymond B. Penn, PhD
Robley Dunglison Professor of Pulmonary Research
Director, Center for Translational Medicine
Director of Pulmonary Research, Jefferson - Jane & Leonard Korman Lung Institute
Vice Chair of Research, Department of Medicine
Research and Clinical Interests
Airway biology; GPCR biology; Asthma pharmacology; Renal transporter biology; Cancer biology; Asthma, COPD, obstructive and fibrotic lung diseases; Chronic metabolic acidosis
The major focus of my research is to identify cellular and molecular mechanisms by which G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) mediate important functions in airway cells. GPCR signaling regulates contractile function, synthesis and release of autocrine factors, and cell growth/survival in various airway cells, including airway smooth muscle (ASM), airway epithelium, lung fibroblasts, and T lymphocytes. Aberrant GPCR signaling or exaggerated presentation of GPCR stimuli can promote ASM hypercontractility, airway remodeling, and ASM hyperplasia/hypertrophy, all of which contribute to the pathogenesis of asthma and COPD. Moreover, GPCRs appear to mediate important mitogenic and survival signaling pathways in cells comprising the tumor microenvironment- including epithelia, fibroblasts, stem cells, and inflammatory cells- rendering them potentially important therapeutic targets in the treatment of cancer. Finally, many GPCR genes possess mutations that alter their expression or function; we are particularly interested in characterizing such altered function and its contribution to disease state or disease therapy.
Publications
- In silico identification of a β2-adrenoceptor allosteric site that selectively augments canonical β2AR-Gs signaling and function
- PD 102807 Induces M3 mAChR-Dependent GRK-/Arrestin-Biased Signaling in Airway Smooth Muscle Cells
- A cryptic mode of GPCR regulation revealed
- Regulation of Airway Smooth Muscle Cell Proliferation by Diacylglycerol Kinase: Relevance to Airway Remodeling in Asthma
- Abi1 mediates airway smooth muscle cell proliferation and airway remodeling via Jak2/STAT3 signaling