Daniella Schwartz, MD

Rheumatic diseases affect up to 10% of the U.S. population, causing severe morbidity. Identifying and targeting pathogenic cytokines has revolutionized treatment, but many syndromes are treatment-refractory due to an incomplete understanding of the factors driving pathology. Allergic diseases have long been thought to be clinically and immunologically distinct from rheumatic diseases, but recent work suggests substantial overlap. The Schwartz lab studies a cytokine called IL-9, which links allergic and rheumatic diseases through regulation of lymphocytes, eosinophils, and mucosal barrier function. Research in the Schwartz lab is focused on defining the regulation and biological functions of IL-9 in the context of autoimmune and autoinflammatory conditions. We also try to expand the spectrum of rheumatic diseases by studying rare inborn errors of immunity that link allergic, autoimmune, and autoinflammatory pathologies. This includes the monogenic disease haploinsufficiency of A20 (HA20), an inborn error of ubiquitination that can cause severe autoinflammation, autoimmunity, immunodeficiency, and clinical allergy.

Dr. Schwartz's primary clinical interest is in Inborn Errors of Immunity, particularly in Autoinflammatory Diseases including Haploinsufficiency of A20 and Behcet's Disease. She also has a strong interest in seronegative spondyloarthropathies including Psoriatic Arthritis and Ankylosing Spondylitis, and in Relapsing Polychondritis and Sarcoidosis.

Over the last 10 years, Dr. Schwartz has taught and mentored a broad cross-section of post-baccalaureate students, medical students, residents, and fellows in formal and informal settings. In addition to research mentorships, she has given formal lectures to students, residents, and fellows on a range of topics from inflammatory arthropathies to T cell immunology and epigenetics.