Immunopathogenesis of sarcoidosis: current practical knowledge
Müller-Quernheim, J.
Zeitschrift für die Gesamte Innere Medizin und ihre Grenzgebiete 45(19): 573-577
1990
ISSN/ISBN: 0044-2542 PMID: 2151549 Document Number: 348027
Since the avenue of bronchoalveolar lavage detailed concepts of the immunopathogenesis of sarcoidosis have been developed. An alveolitis which parallels the inflammatory changes of the interstitium seems to be critical. Thus, the evaluation of the alveolitis yields information about the inflammatory processes in the interstitium. A compartmentalized activation of T-helper cells plays a central role in the maintenance and regulation of the alveolitis. Only the cells of the organs involved exhibit the features of activation, the cells of the peripheral blood are quiescent. By means of bronchoalveolar lavage the status of activation of the alveolar cells can be determined. Those parameters describe critical phenomenons of the disease. A detailed analysis of the activated alveolar cells disclosed mechanisms which generate serum parameters of clinical value.