The Analysis of Tryptase in Serum of Sarcoidosis Patients

Abstract

Sarcoidosis is a systemic granulomatous disease of unknown etiology characterized by activation of macrophages and T lymphocytes. Relatively little is known about the role of mast cells and their mediators in the pathogenesis of sarcoidosis. Tryptase is an enzyme produced by activated mast cells, regarded as a marker of mast cell activation. To analyse tryptase concentrations in serum of sarcoidosis patients in an attempt to define the role of tryptase and mast cells in the pathogenesis of sarcoidosis and to evaluate the potential of tryptase as marker of disease severity. Quantitative analysis of tryptase concentrations was performed in serum of patients with stable sarcoidosis (n = 12), progressive sarcoidosis (n = 23) and controls (n = 13). Patients enrolled in the study had been monitored at Siena Regional Referral Centre for Sarcoidosis from onset for at least 12 months. Significantly higher concentrations of tryptase were found in peripheral blood of sarcoidosis patients (6.08 +/- 3.98 microg/l) than controls (2.96 +/- 1.75microg/l; p = 0.012). Patients with progressive disease showed the highest tryptase concentrations in serum. Tryptase and mast cells may be involved in the immunopathogenesis of sarcoidosis and further studies are required to understand if tryptase may represent a marker of sarcoidosis severity.

Results of a phase I study in patients suffering from secondary-progressive multiple sclerosis demonstrating the safety of the amino acid copolymer PI-2301 and a possible induction of an anti-inflammatory cytokine response☆

“…Urinalysis, hematology, and blood chemistry showed no clinically relevant changes in any parameter examined for any subject (data not shown). Tryptase activity, which has been used as a marker of mastcell activation (Bargagli et al, 2009;Saito et al, 2009), anti-PI-2301 Fig. 3.…”

The puzzling clinical spectrum and course of juvenile sarcoidosis

“…Later, signifi cantly increased serum concentrations of tryptase were also observed in patients with sarcoidosis. [61] Imaging techniques can contribute considerably to the diagnosis by revealing lung involvement and extrapulmonary manifestations of the disease. Chest X-ray may show intrathoracic lymphadenopathy involving the right paratracheal area and both hila.…”

PDE3 Inhibition Reduces Epithelial Mast Cell Numbers in Allergic Airway Inflammation and Attenuates Degranulation of Basophils and Mast Cells

“…Mast cell and basophil dynamics were also observed in the nasal mucosa of allergic rhinitis patients (KleinJan et al, 2000). The findings of elevated numbers of MCs and increased serum tryptase levels, suggesting MC activation, implicate MCs in various lung diseases, including idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and sarcoidosis (Bargagli et al, 2009;Wygrecka et al, 2013). It has been reported that the presence of pulmonary neuroendocrine cells amplify allergic asthma responses by the release of the neuropeptides calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and substance P (SP), both of which can act as MC stimulators (Sui et al, 2018).…”