Deciphering sarcoidosis immunopathogenesis through systems biology

Sarcoidosis is a complex, multisystem disease characterized by granulomatous inflammation and variable clinical outcomes. Its pathogenesis and progression are driven by intricate biological interactions, involving a complex interplay between patient-specific factors such as genetic background, sex, and environmental exposures, as well as epigenetic modifications that regulate gene expression and protein levels. These interconnected layers ultimately drive immune response to yet unidentified trigger(s), culminating in granuloma formation and, in some cases, with an aberrant repair response leading to irreversible organ dysfunction in some cases. In this review, we aim to synthesize recent multiomics research that unravels the underlying biological networks, offering a systems-level understanding of sarcoidosis.

Recent studies have identified several potential robust biomarkers, including microRNAs, CD14, LBP, HBEGF, eNAMPT, and ANG-2, while also highlighting the central role of the PI3K/AKT pathway in immune activation. Additionally, new noninvasive methods, such as extracellular vesicle profiling, have emerged as promising alternatives to traditional tissue biopsies.

We highlight recent findings from transcriptomics, epigenomics, and proteomics. These studies illuminate key molecular pathways that may be crucial in sarcoidosis pathogenesis, offering promising opportunities to identify novel therapeutic targets that could transform clinical management and improve patient outcomes.