Tumour necrosis factor-alpha gene expression by alveolar macrophages in human lung allograft recipient with recurrence of sarcoidosis. Toulouse Lung Transplantation Group

Recurrence of sarcoidosis in lung allografts is an interesting model to study the pathogenesis of this disease. We report a case of sarcoidosis recurrence in a single lung allograft recipient 2 years after transplantation. The expression of tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) gene by alveolar macrophages was monitored. The TNF-alpha gene was not expressed at the time of recurrence of sarcoidosis, but only later when prominent granulomas were observed.