[Sarcoidosis: immunopathogenesis and the potential of immunotherapy].

Abstract

Sarcoidosis is a multi-systemic disease of unknown aetiology, immunopathologically and histologically characterised by a macrophage/T-helper I cell-mediated non-caseating granulomatous inflammation process. In the development of granulomas, an imbalance between pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines plays an important role, possibly initiated by an as yet unidentified (exogenous) stimulus. The clinical outcome of the disease process is unpredictable, and appears to be determined by the cytokine production of the inflammatory cells in the granuloma. Fifty to seventy percent of the patients recover without medication within a period of time which cannot be predicted, the other 30 to 50% of patients are treated during the course of the disease with corticosteroids (with varying degrees of success), either alone or in combination with cytostatic or immunosuppressive agents. Based on recent developments in the field of immunomodulation and on current knowledge of the immunopathogenesis of sarcoidosis, there appear to be opportunities for specific immunotherapy which should be evaluated in controlled studies.

• Authors: M Gras, F J van Kemenade, A C M Th van Maarsseveen, C Alberts
• Journal: Nederlands tijdschrift voor geneeskunde (Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd) Vol. 147 Issue 4 Pg. 150-5 (Jan 25 2003) ISSN: 0028-2162 [Print] Netherlands
• Vernacular Title: Sarcoïdose: immunopathogenese en aanknopingspunten voor immunotherapie.
• PMID: 12635545 (Publication Type: English Abstract, Journal Article, Review)

Chemical References

• Anti-Inflammatory Agents
• Cytokines
• Immunosuppressive Agents
• Steroids

Topics

• Anti-Inflammatory Agents (therapeutic use)
• Cytokines (immunology)
• Disease Progression
• Humans
• Immunosuppressive Agents (therapeutic use)
• Immunotherapy
• Macrophages (immunology)
• Sarcoidosis (immunology, therapy)
• Steroids
• Treatment Outcome