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 innate immunity 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 and their interactions with respiratory virus 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, directed evolution, and function of the Ribonuclease A gene superfamily
• Inflammatory responses leading to novel therapies for severe respiratory virus infection

Editorial Boards

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

Current Research Group Members

Kimberly D. Dyer, Ph.D.; Caroline M. Percopo, M.S.; Stanislaw J. Gabryszewski, A.B.;. Peter Rigaux, Ph.D.; Aaron B. Bowen, B.S.; Katia E. Garcia-Crespo, Ph.D.

Selected Recent Publications

To view a complete listing, visit PubMed.

Dyer KD, Percopo CM, Fischer ER, Gabryszewski SJ, Rosenberg HF. Pneumoviruses infect eosinophils and elicit MyD88-dependent release of chemoattractant cytokines and interleukin-6. Blood. In press.

Percopo CM, Qiu Z, Phipps S, Foster PS, Domachowske JB, Rosenberg HF. Pulmonary eosinophils and their role in immunopathologic responses to formalin-inactivated pneumonia virus of mice. J Immunol. 2009 Jul 1;183(1):604-12.

Qiu Z, Dyer KD, Xie Z, Rådinger M, Rosenberg HF. GATA transcription factors regulate the expression of the human eosinophil-derived neurotoxin (RNase 2) gene. J Biol Chem. 2009 May 8;284(19):13099-109.

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;181(6):4004-9.

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(5):1578-86.

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

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