Sarcoidosis and the alpha chemokine MIG.

In patients with sarcoidosis, a lot of researches showed increased levels of the Th1 chemokine monokine induced by interferon (IFN)-γ (MIG) and its (C-X-C motif) receptor (CXCR)3 both in biopsy specimens and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). In BALF these levels were associated with CD4(+) and total lymphocytes. Positive CXCR3 ligands staining were found in the alveolar macrophages, and in the epithelioid and giant cells in the sarcoid lungs. It can be assumed that in sarcoid lung the accumulation of Th1 lymphocytes is largely related to MIG. Moreover, the potential role of MIG as a biomarker of sarcoidosis and its severity were proven, given its circulating levels that correlated with the clinical course and gravity of the disease.