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pubmed:abstractText |
Sarcoidosis is a systemic granulomatous disease characterised by T-helper cell/macrophage alveolitis. Activated macrophages release mediators, such as cytokines, chemokines, oxygen radicals, and enzymes. In a previous paper we found higher levels of chitotriosidase, a macrophage derived enzyme, in serum of patients with sarcoidosis than in controls. Serum chitotriosidase levels were correlated with sarcoidosis radiological stages. Human chitotriosidase is involved in the pathogenesis of many lysosomal storage disorders and is selectively expressed in chronically activated tissue macrophages.
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pubmed:affiliation |
Respiratory Diseases Section, Department of Clinical Medicine and Immunology, Le Scotte Hospital, Viale Bracci 53100-Siena, Italy. bargagli2@unisi.it
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