Animal models of granulomatous inflammation.

The pathogenesis of granulomatous inflammation is often characterized as an intense inflammatory response with accompanying fibroproliferation and deposition of extracellular matrix. Many of these chronic disorders share a number of common characteristics, including an enigmatic cause, unknown mechanisms of initiation and maintenance, and often untreatable end-stage fibrosis. Granulomatous inflammation can occur in a variety of diseases, such as tuberculosis, sarcoidosis, berylliosis, and Wegner's granulomatosis. Unfortunately, these diseases are often associated with substantial morbidity and mortality, as therapeutic options may not be entirely efficacious. The lack of a clear treatment strategy may underscore the limited scientific understanding of these disorders. Thus, experimental models of granulomatous inflammation, which mimic some of the specific characteristics of these responses, will be useful in delineating the mechanisms of granuloma development. In addition, these models may aid in the design of useful therapies for the treatment of these inflammatory diseases.