The Immune Paradox of Sarcoidosis: A Review of Literature
Tahiya Amin *
Inflammation and Infection Research, School of Medical Sciences, UNSW Australia, Sydney, Australia and Department of Respiratory Medicine, Prince of Wales Hospital, Randwick, NSW 2031, Australia.
Cristan Herbert
Inflammation and Infection Research, School of Medical Sciences, UNSW Australia, Sydney, Australia.
Paul S. Thomas
Inflammation and Infection Research, School of Medical Sciences, UNSW Australia, Sydney, Australia and Department of Respiratory Medicine, Prince of Wales Hospital, Randwick, NSW 2031, Australia.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
This review briefly summarises the literature concerning our current understanding of the aetiology and immunopathogenesis of sarcoidosis, and the identification of novel markers of this disease. Although the immune paradox is a key part of sarcoid immunology, the mechanisms underlying this remarkable phenomenon are not well understood. Biomarkers may further the current understanding of the granulomatous inflammation seen in sarcoidosis. Exhaled breath condensate (EBC) is a novel, minimally invasive tool to sample the fluid lining the respiratory tract. EBC can be used to identify sarcoid specific biomarkers, which may shed light on the sarcoid immune paradox.
Keywords: Sarcoidosis; immune paradox, sarcoid pathogenesis, sarcoid biomarkers, exhaled breath condensate