Sarcoidosis: molecular mechanisms and therapeutic strategies

Abstract Sarcoidosis, a multisystemic granulomatous disease with unknown etiology, is characterized by formation of noncaseating granulomas, which can affect all organs. Recent studies have made outstanding achievement in understanding the pathology, etiology, genetics, and immune dysregulation invo...

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Main Authors: Danfeng Xu, Xiaohua Tao, Yibin Fan, Yan Teng
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Springer 2025-02-01
Series:Molecular Biomedicine
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s43556-025-00244-z
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author Danfeng Xu
Xiaohua Tao
Yibin Fan
Yan Teng
author_facet Danfeng Xu
Xiaohua Tao
Yibin Fan
Yan Teng
author_sort Danfeng Xu
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Sarcoidosis, a multisystemic granulomatous disease with unknown etiology, is characterized by formation of noncaseating granulomas, which can affect all organs. Recent studies have made outstanding achievement in understanding the pathology, etiology, genetics, and immune dysregulation involved in granuloma formation of sarcoidosis. Antigen stimulation in genetically predisposed individuals enhances the phagocytic activity of antigen-presenting cells, including macrophages and dendritic cells. CD4 + T cells initiate dysregulated immune responses and secrete significant quantities of inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin (IL)-2 and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), which play a crucial role in modulating the aggregation and fusion of macrophages to form granulomas. The current therapeutic strategies focus on blocking the formation and spread of granulomas to protect organ function and alleviate symptoms. The efficacy of traditional treatments, such as glucocorticoids and immunosuppressants, has been confirmed in the management of sarcoidosis. Promising therapeutic agents encompass inhibitors of cytokines, like those targeting tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, as well as inhibitors of signaling pathways, such as Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors, which exhibit favorable prospects for application. Although there has been progress in the identification of biomarkers for the diagnosis, prognosis, activity and severity of sarcoidosis, specific and sensitive biomarkers have yet to be identified. This review outlines recent advancements in the molecular mechanisms and therapeutic strategies for the sarcoidosis.
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spelling doaj-art-348514b8c45e4306933bb2584e4134382025-02-09T12:04:37ZengSpringerMolecular Biomedicine2662-86512025-02-016112210.1186/s43556-025-00244-zSarcoidosis: molecular mechanisms and therapeutic strategiesDanfeng Xu0Xiaohua Tao1Yibin Fan2Yan Teng3Center for Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Dermatology, Zhejiang Provincial People’s Hospital, Affiliated People’s Hospital, Hangzhou Medical CollegeCenter for Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Dermatology, Zhejiang Provincial People’s Hospital, Affiliated People’s Hospital, Hangzhou Medical CollegeCenter for Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Dermatology, Zhejiang Provincial People’s Hospital, Affiliated People’s Hospital, Hangzhou Medical CollegeCenter for Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Dermatology, Zhejiang Provincial People’s Hospital, Affiliated People’s Hospital, Hangzhou Medical CollegeAbstract Sarcoidosis, a multisystemic granulomatous disease with unknown etiology, is characterized by formation of noncaseating granulomas, which can affect all organs. Recent studies have made outstanding achievement in understanding the pathology, etiology, genetics, and immune dysregulation involved in granuloma formation of sarcoidosis. Antigen stimulation in genetically predisposed individuals enhances the phagocytic activity of antigen-presenting cells, including macrophages and dendritic cells. CD4 + T cells initiate dysregulated immune responses and secrete significant quantities of inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin (IL)-2 and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), which play a crucial role in modulating the aggregation and fusion of macrophages to form granulomas. The current therapeutic strategies focus on blocking the formation and spread of granulomas to protect organ function and alleviate symptoms. The efficacy of traditional treatments, such as glucocorticoids and immunosuppressants, has been confirmed in the management of sarcoidosis. Promising therapeutic agents encompass inhibitors of cytokines, like those targeting tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, as well as inhibitors of signaling pathways, such as Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors, which exhibit favorable prospects for application. Although there has been progress in the identification of biomarkers for the diagnosis, prognosis, activity and severity of sarcoidosis, specific and sensitive biomarkers have yet to be identified. This review outlines recent advancements in the molecular mechanisms and therapeutic strategies for the sarcoidosis.https://doi.org/10.1186/s43556-025-00244-zSarcoidosisMolecular mechanismTherapyBiological agentsBiomarkers
spellingShingle Danfeng Xu
Xiaohua Tao
Yibin Fan
Yan Teng
Sarcoidosis: molecular mechanisms and therapeutic strategies
Molecular Biomedicine
Sarcoidosis
Molecular mechanism
Therapy
Biological agents
Biomarkers
title Sarcoidosis: molecular mechanisms and therapeutic strategies
title_full Sarcoidosis: molecular mechanisms and therapeutic strategies
title_fullStr Sarcoidosis: molecular mechanisms and therapeutic strategies
title_full_unstemmed Sarcoidosis: molecular mechanisms and therapeutic strategies
title_short Sarcoidosis: molecular mechanisms and therapeutic strategies
title_sort sarcoidosis molecular mechanisms and therapeutic strategies
topic Sarcoidosis
Molecular mechanism
Therapy
Biological agents
Biomarkers
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s43556-025-00244-z
work_keys_str_mv AT danfengxu sarcoidosismolecularmechanismsandtherapeuticstrategies
AT xiaohuatao sarcoidosismolecularmechanismsandtherapeuticstrategies
AT yibinfan sarcoidosismolecularmechanismsandtherapeuticstrategies
AT yanteng sarcoidosismolecularmechanismsandtherapeuticstrategies