The immunology of sarcoidosis.
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.
Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Occupational Medicine, University of Iowa College of Medicine, 200 Hawkins Drive, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA. alicia-gerke@uiowa.edu
Alicia K
AK
Gerke
Gary
G
Hunninghake
D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular / Q000276:immunology*; D008285:Major Histocompatibility Complex / Q000276:immunology*; D012507:Sarcoidosis / Q000276:immunology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*