Document Type
Article
Publication Title
Nature Communications
Abstract
Sarcoidosis is an idiopathic inflammatory disorder that is commonly treated with glucocorticoids. An imprecise understanding of the immunologic changes underlying sarcoidosis has limited therapeutic progress. Here in this open-label trial (NCT03910543), 10 patients with cutaneous sarcoidosis are treated with tofacitinib, a Janus kinase inhibitor. The primary outcome is the change in the cutaneous sarcoidosis activity and morphology instrument (CSAMI) activity score after 6 months of treatment. Secondary outcomes included change in internal organ involvement, molecular parameters, and safety. All patients experience improvement in their skin with 6 patients showing a complete response. Improvement in internal organ involvement is also observed. CD4+ T cell-derived IFN-γ is identified as a central cytokine mediator of macrophage activation in sarcoidosis. Additional type 1 cytokines produced by distinct cell types, including IL-6, IL-12, IL-15 and GM-CSF, also associate with pathogenesis. Suppression of the activity of these cytokines, especially IFN-γ, correlates with clinical improvement. Our results thus show that tofacitinib treatment is associated with improved sarcoidosis symptoms, and predominantly acts by inhibiting type 1 immunity.
DOI
10.1038/s41467-022-30615-x
Publication Date
6-6-2022
Keywords
cytokines, metabolism, piperidines, pyrimidines, sarcoidosis
ISSN
2041-1723
Recommended Citation
Damsky W, Wang A, Kim DJ, Young BD, Singh K, Murphy MJ, Daccache J, Clark A, Ayasun R, Ryu C, McGeary MK, Odell ID, Fazzone-Chettiar R, Pucar D, Homer R, Gulati M, Miller EJ, Bosenberg M, Flavell RA, King B. Inhibition of Type 1 Immunity With Tofacitinib is Associated With Marked Improvement in Longstanding Sarcoidosis. Nature Communications. 2022; 13(1). doi: 10.1038/s41467-022-30615-x.
