title: Pathogenesis of sarcoidosis.
abstract: Sarcoidosis is a systemic granulomatous disorder of unknown origin. Recent research uncovered underlying immunological and genetic mechanisms, which will pave the way for more effective pharmaceutical studies. At present some of this knowledge is clinically exploited to monitor therapy and expected genetic progress will allow the development of prognostic genetic patterns or molecular signatures. Moreover, it has become obvious that several etiologic agents and cofactors will exist. These will be of animate and inanimate nature and their interplay with host mechanisms discussed in this review determines disease phenotypes.
authors.affiliation: University Medical Center, Department of Pneumology, Hugstetter Street, 49, 79095 Freiburg, Germany. jmq@medizin.ukl.uni-freiburg.de
authors.forename: Joachim
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Müller-Quernheim
authors.forename: Antje
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Prasse
authors.forename: Gernot
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Zissel
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D010641:Phenotype; D012507:Sarcoidosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology