Chitotriosidase and soluble IL-2 receptor: comparison of two markers of sarcoidosis severity.
BACKGROUND
Sarcoidosis is a multisystemic granulomatous disease with an unpredictable clinical course characterized by accumulation of activated proliferating T lymphocytes and mononuclear phagocytes in affected organs.


OBJECTIVE
The aims of this study were to describe the clinical, radiological and immunological features of a population of sarcoidosis patients followed at the Sarcoidosis Regional Centre in Siena and to analyse chitotriosidase and sIL-2R concentrations in serum of these patients in order to understand their potential as disease markers.


RESULTS
Chitotriosidase and sIL-2R concentrations in serum of sarcoidosis patients were found to be significantly higher than in healthy controls (p<0.01) and a positive correlation between the two markers was documented for the first time. Moreover, chitotriosidase and sIL-2R were expressed differently in different radiographic stages of the disease.


CONCLUSIONS
Chitotriosidase and sIL-2R are two markers of sarcoidosis of different origin, the values of which show a correlation in these patients; they are easily detectable in serum and could be useful clinical markers of progression.
Bargagli
Elena
E
Department of Clinical Medicine and Immunology, Respiratory Diseases Section, Siena University, Italy. bargagli2@unisi.it
Bianchi
Nicola
N
Margollicci
Maria
M
Olivieri
Carmela
C
Luddi
Alice
A
Coviello
Giuseppe
G
Grosso
Salvatore
S
Rottoli
Paola
P
D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006262:Health; D006596:Hexosaminidases / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2 / Q000097:blood*; D012507:Sarcoidosis / Q000097:blood* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000473:pathology*; D012907:Smoking; D012995:Solubility
D015415:Biomarkers; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2; D006596:Hexosaminidases; C086400:chitotriosidase