Immune response to Propionibacterium acnes in patients with sarcoidosis – in vivo and in vitro
Conclusions:
Patients with sarcoidosis had elevated levels of specific antibodies against P. acnes which suggest contact with this bacterium in the past. Furthermore, BAL cells of sarcoid patients produced inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α and GM-CSF) upon stimulation with P. acnes indicating potential involvement of this pathogen in the pathogenesis of sarcoidosis in some patients.
Source: BMC Pulmonary Medicine - Category: Respiratory Medicine Authors: Jonas SchuppSandrine TchaptchetNiklas LützenPeggy EngelhardJoachim Müller-QuernheimMarina FreudenbergAntje Prasse Source Type: research