Key cells in chronic sarcoidosis uncovered

The latest research findings from MedUni Vienna provide insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying chronic sarcoidosis, a complex granulomatous disease with limited treatment options. The scientific team, led by Thomas Weichhart and Georg Stary, presents new findings that challenge the conventional understanding of the disease and proposes a new therapeutic approach. The current study was published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine. Chronic sarcoidosis, which is characterised by the formation of granulomas in various organs, poses a major challenge for clinical treatment due to its progressive nature and limited treatment options. In their current study, the researchers focussed on the role of macrophages and lipid metabolism in granuloma formation. Through a series of comprehensive experiments, they discovered that macrophages from patients with chronic sarcoidosis are predisposed to granuloma formation. The researchers observed the spontaneous aggregation of macrophages and formation of granulomas originating from patients with chronic sarcoidosis, but not from cells of healthy controls.