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

Chief, Eosinophil Biology Section
Senior Investigator

Dr. Rosenberg obtained her M.D. and Ph.D. degrees from the joint program at The Rockefeller University and Cornell University Medical College. 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 of their laboratory studies have led Dr. Rosenberg's group to consider the role of these ribonucleases (and by extension, the role of eosinophils,) in host defense against a previously unrecognized group of target pathogens, respiratory virus pathoges.

Dr. Rosenberg's lab has developed a novel mouse model of respiratory viral infection using the natural pneumovirus pathogen of rodents, pneumonia virus of mice (PVM). With this model, her laboratory is investigating the role of eosinophils in host defense against these clinically important respiratory viruses 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

Research Group Members

Kimberly D. Dyer, Ph.D.; Jennifer M. Moser, Ph.D.; Caroline M. Percopo, M.S.; Zhijun Qiu, Ph.D.; Steven J. Siegel; Josh J. Zhang

Selected Recent Publications

(View list in PubMed.)

Dyer KD, Czapiga M, Foster B, Foster PS, Kang EM, Lappas CM, Moser JM, Naumann N, Percopo CM, Siegel SJ, Swartz JM, Ting-DeRavin S, Rosenberg HF. 2007. Eosinophils from lineage-ablated ΔdblGATA bone marrow progenitors: the dblGATA enhancer in the promoter of GATA-1 is not essential for differentiation ex vivo. J Immunol. 2007. 179: 1693-1699.

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. 110: 1578-1586.

Ellis JA, Martin BV, Waldner C, Dyer KD, Domachowske JB, Rosenberg HF.  Mucosal inoculation with an attenuated mouse pneumovirus protects against virulent challenge in wild type and interferon gamma receptor deficient mice. Vaccine. 2007. 25: 1085-1093.

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. 108: 2420-2427.

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. 281:25622-25634.

Garvey TL, Dyer KD, Ellis JA, Bonville CA, Foster B, Prussin C, Easton AJ, Domachowske JB, Rosenberg HF. Inflammatory responses to pneumovirus infection in IFNαβR gene-deleted mice. J Immunol. 2005. 175: 4735-4744.

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