The immunology of sarcoidosis

Clin Chest Med. 2008 Sep;29(3):379-90, vii. doi: 10.1016/j.ccm.2008.03.014.

Abstract

Sarcoidosis continues to be a disease of research interest because of its complicated immune mechanisms and elusive etiology. So far, it has been established that granulomatous inflammation in sarcoidosis is predominantly a T-helper 1 immune response mediated by a complex network of lymphocytes, macrophages, and cytokines. The cause of progression to a chronic and potentially fibrotic form is unclear but may involve loss of apoptotic mechanisms, loss of regulatory response, or a persistent antigen that cannot be cleared. Recent genomic and proteomic technology has emphasized the importance of host susceptibility and gene-environment interaction in the expression of the disease.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Humans
  • Immunity, Cellular / immunology*
  • Major Histocompatibility Complex / immunology*
  • Sarcoidosis / immunology*
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology*