Exploring the Immunology of Sarcoidosis

Exploring the Immunology of Sarcoidosis

In sarcoidosis, over activity of parts of the immune system drives the accumulation of granulomas (collections of immune cells) in affected parts of the body. To facilitate development of effective and safe treatment options in the future it will be vital to understand how and why the immune system becomes over active. The aim of this research is to work towards this goal by studying cells of the immune system and the molecular pathways inside these cells that control how they behave. This will be achieved by analysing patterns of proteins and RNA (the code used to tell cells which proteins to produce) in immune cells present in blood samples and tissue biopsies from people with sarcoidosis.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Males or females, of any race, between 18 and 85 years of age, inclusive
2. Able to provide written informed consent
3. Clinician diagnosis of sarcoidosis
4. Treatment-naïve or receiving immunomodulatory therapy.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Evidence of acute bacterial infection or other condition likely in the opinion of the investigator to significantly impact results of blood assays.