Helene F. Rosenberg, M.D., Ph.D.

Chief, Eosinophil Biology Section
Senior Investigator

Dr. Rosenberg was awarded both M.D. and Ph.D. degrees from the joint program at The Rockefeller University and Cornell University Medical College (1984, 1985). Following postdoctoral research at Harvard University, she joined NIH in 1991 and became a section chief in 2002.

Description of Research Program

The primary focus of the laboratory program is the eosinophil, an enigmatic leukocyte whose role in host defense remains a subject of controversy. Among the mediators secreted by activated eosinophils are two ribonucleases known as eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) and eosinophil-derived neurotoxin (EDN). Several studies have led Dr. Rosenberg's group to consider the role of eosinophils and the unique eosinophil ribonucleases in host defense against respiratory viral pathogens.

Dr. Rosenberg's lab has developed a novel mouse model of respiratory viral infection using the natural rodent pneumovirus pathogen, pneumonia virus of mice (PVM). With this model, her laboratory is investigating the interactions of eosinophils with PVM and other clinically important respiratory pathogens and conducting several studies aimed at elucidating novel immunomodulatory therapies.

Major Areas of Research

• Eosinophils, eosinophil ribonucleases, and innate immune responses
• Molecular biology and evolution of the Ribonuclease A gene superfamily
• Inflammatory responses to and novel therapies for severe respiratory virus infection

Editorial Boards

• Blood
• Journal of Leukocyte Biology
• Clinical and Vaccine Immunology
• Faculty of 1000 Biology
• Journal of Biological Chemistry

Research Group Members

Kimberly D. Dyer, Ph.D.; Jennifer M. Moser, Ph.D.; Caroline M. Percopo, M.S.; Zhijun Qiu, Ph.D.; Stanislaw J. Gabryszewski, A.B.; Ofir Bachar, Ph.D.

Selected Recent Publications

To view a complete listing, visit PubMed.

Rosenberg HF, Dyer KD, Domachowske JB. Eosinophils and their interactions with respiratory virus pathogens. Immunol Res. 2008 Sep 26; in press.

Dyer KD, Moser JM, Czapiga M, Siegel SJ, Percopo CM, Rosenberg HF. Functionally competent eosinophils differentiated ex vivo in high purity from normal mouse bone marrow. J Immunol. 2008 Sep 15;181(6):4004-9.

Rosenberg HF, Domachowske JB. Pneumonia virus of mice: severe respiratory infection in a natural host. Immunol Lett. 2008 Jun 15;118(1):6–12.

Phipps S, Lam CE, Mahalingam S, Newhouse S, Ramirez R, Rosenberg HF, Foster PS, Matthaei KI. Eosinophils contribute to innate antiviral immunity and promote clearance of respiratory syncytial virus. Blood. 2007 Sep 1;110(5):1578-86.

Swartz JM, Dyer KD, Cheever AW, Ramalingam TR, Pesnicak, L, Lee NA, Lee JJ, Domachowske JB, Foster PS, Wynn TA, Rosenberg HF. Schistosoma mansoni infection in eosinophil lineage-ablated mice. Blood. 2006 Oct 1;108(7):2420-7.

Nitto T, Dyer KD, Czapiga M, Rosenberg HF. Evolution and function of leukocyte RNase A ribonucleases of the avian species, Gallus gallus. J Biol Chem. 2006 Sep 1;281(35):25622-34.

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