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Cell-mediated immune responses in sarcoidosis
The American Review of Respiratory Disease
|January 1, 1978
Summary
This study found that sarcoidosis patients show varied cell-mediated immune responses. Diminished lymphocyte reactivity to mitogens was seen in chronic active disease, but anergy to specific antigens was not supported.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cellular Biology
- Medical Research
Background:
- Sarcoidosis is an inflammatory disease with debated immune system involvement.
- Previous studies showed conflicting results on lymphocyte responsiveness and skin test reactivity in sarcoidosis patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate cell-mediated immune responses in untreated sarcoidosis patients.
- To correlate in vitro and in vivo immune responses with clinical features of sarcoidosis.
Main Methods:
- Assessed in vitro lymphocyte proliferation to phytohemagglutinin, concanavalin A, and streptococcal antigen.
- Evaluated in vivo cutaneous reactivity to streptococcal antigen and purified protein derivative (tuberculin).
- Correlated immune response data with clinical presentation in 75 untreated sarcoidosis patients.
Main Results:
- Decreased in vitro lymphocyte responses to phytohemagglutinin and concanavalin A were observed in patients with chronic active sarcoidosis.
- In vitro lymphocyte responses to streptococcal antigen mirrored skin test reactivity, with sarcoidosis patients showing reduced skin test responses compared to healthy individuals.
- Most patients expected to be tuberculin positive based on history showed positive skin tests and in vitro responses to purified protein derivative.
Conclusions:
- Sarcoidosis is not characterized by general anergy to specific antigens.
- Observed patterns of mitogen responses are not unique to sarcoidosis.
- No correlation was found between diminished specific cellular immune reactivity and specific clinical features of sarcoidosis.