[Activation of immune cells in sarcoidosis: immunopathogenic and clinical implications]

Sarcoidosis is a frequent, systemic, granulomatous disorder with predominant involvement of the hilar lymph nodes and the pulmonary parenchyma. By bronchoalveolar lavage an activation of alveolar immune cells has been observed yielding a detailed concept of the immunopathogenesis of the disease from which new, clinically applicable staging parameters are delineated.