Understanding why sarcoidosis causes immune confusion and damage
Official title: Mechanisms Underlying the Immune Paradox in Sarcoidosis
Funded at University of Illinois at Chicago · NIH-11302507 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are studying why sarcoidosis triggers a stubborn immune response, with a focus on how immune cells in the lungs and lymph nodes interact and why some patients develop worse, fibrotic disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Illinois at Chicago NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | June 1, 2026 |
| Project end | May 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $174,560 |
| NIH project number | 1K08HL179451-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11302507 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Individuals with sarcoidosis, especially those with lung involvement and evidence of CD4+ T-cell abnormalities or lymphopenia, may be eligible for related future studies or therapies stemming from this work.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without sarcoidosis or those not experiencing active immune dysregulation may not directly benefit from this specific project.
What this research studies
This project looks at how antigen-presenting cells and CD4+ T cells communicate in sarcoidosis, using genetic and chromatin accessibility approaches to uncover mechanisms behind persistent inflammation. The work centers on ATAC-seq to map accessible DNA regions and how this relates to immune cell behavior in patients. By understanding why CD4+ T cells become exhausted and how MHC class II genes influence risk, the study aims to identify targets for therapies that prevent progression to fibrosis. The grant supports a clinician-scientist to translate basic findings into strategies that could reduce morbidity and improve quality of life for people with sarcoidosis.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the research could reveal new biological targets and pathways to slow or stop lung fibrosis and improve immune regulation in sarcoidosis patients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work has shown that immune cell dysfunction and chromatin changes can relate to disease activity in sarcoidosis, supporting the potential for meaningful translational insights.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Illinois at Chicago
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ascoli, Christian — University of Illinois at Chicago
- Study coordinator: Ascoli, Christian
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Integrative metabolomics to improve sarcoidosis diagnosis and prognosis
A research project from UCLA aims to find blood-based biomarkers that help diagnose sarcoidosis earlier and predict how it will progress, especially in African American women.
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Predicting Lung Health in Sarcoidosis with Vitamin D Metabolism
Aging individuals with sarcoidosis, especially Black/African American women, may benefit from a clearer plan that uses vitamin D biology to predict and improve lung health.
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Understanding how inflammation and scarring develop in pulmonary sarcoidosis
A doctor-scientist is studying why some people with sarcoidosis develop dangerous lung scarring and how to prevent it.
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Peptide-based Diagnostic Test for Sarcoidosis
A new test using peptide-based ELISA is being developed to diagnose sarcoidosis, potentially reducing the need for invasive lung biopsies.
-
Molecular markers of progressive pulmonary sarcoidosis
This grant looks at proteins and genes in people with sarcoidosis to find early signs that the disease will worsen from the lungs.
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Advanced imaging to monitor immune-suppressant therapy in active cardiac sarcoidosis
A patient-focused imaging study to see how MRI and PET 18F-FDG can track how well immune-suppressant treatment is working for active cardiac sarcoidosis.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.