Work

Regulatory circuits that build and sustain noninfectious granulomas

Year: 2026

Type: preprint

Abstract: Noninfectious granulomas organize immune cells into persistent tissue aggregates without an identifiable pathogen. Across diverse diseases, inflammation that should resolve instead persists, producing hallmark pathologic changes in tissue architecture that compromise organ function. Here, we synthesize recent studies to move beyond linear cytokine models and propose that granulomas persist through regulatory circuits linking immune cells, metabolism, and stroma. Maintenance reflects reinforcement among these local programs rather than a single inflammatory pathway. Comparisons across granulomatous diseases, including sarcoidosis, can distinguish disease-specific wiring from conserved maintenance programs. Defining these programs should identify strategies to dismantle established lesions.

Source: Genes & Development

DOI: 10.1101/gad.354047.126

Authors: Annika Ridky, Linda Zhou, Misha Rosenbach, Thomas H. Leung

Institutions: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia VA Medical Center

Language: English

Topic: Sarcoidosis and Beryllium Toxicity Research

Subfield: Physiology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: diamond

Funders: Dermatology Foundation, Foundation for Sarcoidosis Research, National Institutes of Health