A study published in BMC Pulmonary Medicine focuses on the role of endothelial progenitor cells and fibrocytes in lung sarcoidosis. They specifically investigated how these cells, along with CD34 + cells, spurred the progression of sarcoidosis.
About Sarcoidosis
Sarcoidosis is a rare condition that occurs when the inflammation brought on by the immune system to fight off harmful substances doesn’t subside after the substance is gone. The excess immune cells form lumps called granulomas, and the inflammation does not recede. While any organ in the body can be impacted, sarcoidosis tends to begin in the lungs, lymph nodes, and skin. Many times, this condition is asymptomatic. However, if the lungs are heavily impacted, patients may experience a cough, shortness of breath, wheezing, and chest pain. It is important to seek treatment if the lungs are affected, as this condition can lead to pulmonary fibrosis. Some cases may not require treatment, instead doctors will monitor their condition. In others, doctors will prescribe prednisone, immunosuppressants, or antimalarial medicines.
About the Study
Researchers wanted to examine the presence of CD34 + cells, fibrocytes, and endothelial progenitor cells in the peripheral blood in those with sarcoidosis and healthy participants to discover their role in disease progression. Their aim was to characterize the CD34 + cell and analyze the other cells’ relationship to the fibrosis process.
In order to accomplish this goal, they utilized data from sarcoidosis patients at the at Military Institute of Medicine in Warsaw, Poland from Jan. 2018 until Dec. 2019. The peripheral blood was taken from 26 sarcoidosis patients and 16 healthy individuals. Using flow cytometry and the immunomagnetic method, CD34 + cells, endothelial cells, and fibrocytes were analyzed. Researchers used the Statistica 12.0 software for statistical analysis as well.
When looking at the data collected, researchers saw a significantly higher percentage of endothelial cells and low-differentiated CD34 + cells in sarcoidosis patients’ samples than the control group’s samples. Essentially, this confirms that these types of cells play a role in the progression of sarcoidosis.
