Sarcoidosis in celiac disease: A page written by genetic variants in IL-18 miRNAs target site?

Sarcoidosis is a chronic idiopathic granulomatous disease. Interleukin-18 (IL-18) has been strongly implicated in the pathogenesis of sarcoidosis. Sarcoidosis shows characteristic microRNAs (miRNAs) profiles. MiRNAs have recently emerged as a new class of modulators of gene expression. MiRNAs are involved in susceptibility to a number of autoimmune diseases promoting and inhibiting the gene expression of different Th1 pro-inflammatory cytokines including IL18. Sarcoidosis has been connected with a variety of autoimmune disorders including celiac disease (CD). CD is a chronic, immune-mediated condition of the small intestine caused by permanent intolerance to dietary gluten. IL-18 has been reported to play an important role in inducing and maintaining inflammation after gluten exposure. MiRNAs expression is significantly altered in CD patients. We hypothesize that sarcoidosis and CD may be the result of common genetic variants in IL-18 miRNA target site.