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Purpose of Review: The pathogenesis of genetically complex granulomatous diseases, such as sarcoidosis and latent tuberculosis, remains largely unknown. With the recent advent of more powerful research tools, such as genome-wide expression platforms, comes the challenge of making sense of the enormous data sets so generated. This manuscript will provide demonstrations of how in-silico (computer) analysis of large research data sets can lead to novel discoveries in the field of granulomatous lung disease., Recent Findings: The application of in-silico research tools has led to novel discoveries in the fields of noninfectious (e.g., sarcoidosis) and infectious granulomatous diseases. Computer models have identified novel disease mechanisms and can be used to perform 'virtual' experiments rapidly and at low cost compared with conventional laboratory techniques., Summary: Granulomatous lung diseases are extremely complex, involving dynamic interactions between multiple genes, cells, and molecules. In-silico interpretation of large data sets generated from new research platforms that are capable of comprehensively characterizing and quantifying pools of biological molecules promises to rapidly accelerate the rate of scientific discovery in the field of granulomatous lung disorders., Competing Interests: Dr. Crouser has received honoraria from Beckman Coulter, Inc. and grants from National Institutes of Health (HL123586, HL126399).

This review focuses on two representatives of pulmonary fibrosis. One is usual interstitial pneumonia lesion, typically seen in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. The other is parenchymal fibrosis along the bronchovascular bundles, observed in patients with sarcoidosis. Both are intractable fibrosis amenable only to lung transplantation. The authors trace the historical classification of idiopathic interstitial pneumonia, discuss interstitial pneumonia associated with collagen vascular diseases and occupational exposure, and review the most important issues to clarify both types of pulmonary fibrosis.