title: Chemokine receptor CXCR3 ligands in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid: associations with radiological pattern, clinical course, and prognosis in sarcoidosis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Sustained inflammation in sarcoidosis may lead to lung fibrosis. The activity of numerous chemokines responsible for proliferation and activity of T lymphocytes may play a crucial role in this process and may have predictive value. These include cytokines induced by interferon γ, such as CXCL9, 10, and 11-ligands of chemokine receptor CXCR3.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the study was to estimate the role of CXCR3 ligands in the pathogenesis of sarcoidosis and the predictive value of their concentrations in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid.
  
  
  METHODS
  CXCL9, 10, and 11 concentrations in BAL fluid were measured by an enzyme‑linked immunosorbent assay in patients with sarcoidosis (n = 59) and controls (n = 34). A total of 46 patients were followed up for 24 months to compare the results between the subgroups with complete remission and with chronic disease.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Protein-standardized CXCL11 concentrations in BAL fluid from patients with stage II sarcoidosis were higher than in those with stage I (median [interquarile range], 0.95 [0.26-2.39] vs. 0.32 [0.13-0.74] pg/μg protein, P = 0.02). CXCL10 levels in BAL fluid from patients without Löfgren syndrome were higher compared with those the syndrome (0.69 [0.51-1.05] vs. 0.40 [0.27-0.70] pg/μg protein, P = 0.05). None of these markers predicted the chronic course of the disease. CXCL10 levels in BAL fluid correlated with serum angiotensin‑converting enzyme, and CXCL11 levels with parenchymal lesions on high‑resolution computed tomography. Only nonstandardized CXC11 concentrations in BAL fluid were higher in sarcoidosis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results support the hypothesis that cytokines CXCL9, 10, and 11 may be involved in the pathogenesis of chronic sarcoidosis. However, the lack of notable differences between the sarcoidosis and control groups, as well as the lack of associations with the chronic course suggest that they should not be considered as potential prognostic markers.
authors.forename: Wojciech J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Piotrowski
authors.forename: Wojciech
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Młynarski
authors.forename: Wojciech
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Fendler
authors.forename: Krystyna
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Wyka
authors.forename: Jerzy
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Marczak
authors.forename: Paweł
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Górski
authors.forename: Adam
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Antczak
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001992:Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / Q000276:immunology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D054357:Chemokine CXCL10 / Q000378:metabolism; D054371:Chemokine CXCL11 / Q000378:metabolism; D054370:Chemokine CXCL9 / Q000378:metabolism; D019743:Chemokines, CXC / Q000378:metabolism; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016676:Macrophages, Alveolar / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D011859:Radiography; D054367:Receptors, CXCR3 / Q000378:metabolism*; D017565:Sarcoidosis, Pulmonary / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
chemical_list: C515187:CXCR3 protein, human; D054357:Chemokine CXCL10; D054371:Chemokine CXCL11; D054370:Chemokine CXCL9; D019743:Chemokines, CXC; D054367:Receptors, CXCR3