title: The cytokine network in sarcoidosis and its clinical relevance.
abstract: In recent years, analysis of the cytokine network has substantially improved our knowledge of the immunopathogenesis of sarcoidosis. There is increasing evidence from clinical immunology that analysis of the cytokine network may be helpful for clinicians to assess the extent and activity of sarcoid inflammation. Genetic polymorphisms may contribute to interindividual differences in the regulation of cytokine release. Thus, disease phenotype-associated haplotypes should exist and their analysis might disclose risk profiles of individual patients. Furthermore, serological assessment of cytokines or soluble cytokine receptors may become suitable parameters in clinical practice to detect an ongoing inflammation in chronic sarcoidosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pneumology, University Hospital Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany. ziegenhagen@med1.ukl.uni-freiburg.de
authors.forename: M W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Ziegenhagen
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Müller-Quernheim
mesh_terms: D016207:Cytokines / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D016676:Macrophages, Alveolar / Q000276:immunology; D008285:Major Histocompatibility Complex / Q000235:genetics; D012507:Sarcoidosis / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha