Laboratory of Allergic Diseases

Eosinophil Biology Section

Description of Research Program

Eosinophils are among the most poorly understood of the pro-inflammatory leukocytes. Our group takes a broad-based approach to the question of the role of these cells in host defense, as we study the biochemistry, physiology, and evolution of eosinophils and their secretory mediators. Our work has suggested a new role for these cells as host defense against respiratory viral pathogens, most notably against the important pediatric pathogen, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). We are actively pursuing this and other hypotheses in our novel mouse model using a related pathogen, pneumonia virus of mice (PVM), that naturally infects rodent populations. The results of our PVM studies have suggested immunomodulatory mechanisms that may serve as the basis for novel therapies for the clinically important respiratory viral infection, RSV.

Helene F. Rosenberg, M.D., Ph.D., Section Chief
Kimberly D. Dyer, Ph.D., Staff Scientist

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