Enhanced Expression of Interleukin-18 Receptor α Chain by CD4+ T Cells in Sarcoidosis.

This article focuses on a study related to investigating the expression of interleukin-18 receptor, a chain in BAL and peripheral blood T cells in patients with sarcoidosis compared with control subjects, to evaluate the relationship between the expression and clinical manifestations, and to clarify the mechanisms of altered expression. The current consensus regarding the pathogenesis of sarcoidosis is that it results from exposure of genetically susceptible hosts to particular environmental factors. Accumulated evidence indicates that the immunologic changes associated with pulmonary sarcoidosis are characterized by the expanded pool of CD4+ T cells and activated monocyte/macrophage lineage cells.