Background and objective: Pulmonary sarcoidosis (PS) is characterized by the formation of granulomas in the lungs and has been associated with infection by microorganisms. Triggering receptor expressed on the surface of myeloid cells (TREM)-1 is overexpressed in response to infection while TREM-2 is involved in granuloma formation. We hypothesized that these receptors are overexpressed in PS and might be useful for diagnostic testing.
Methods: Cell surface TREM-1 and TREM-2 expression in cells obtained at bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) was measured in individuals with sarcoidosis (n = 26) and compared with that seen in individuals with other interstitial lung diseases (ILD) (n = 27).
Results: TREM-1 and TREM-2 expression was significantly increased in sarcoidosis compared with other ILD: total number of TREM-1, P = 0.0039 (23.81 vs 13.50 cells/μl), TREM-2, P < 0.0001 (32.81 vs 7.76 cells/μl); percentage of TREM-1: P = 0.0002 (41.30% vs 15.70%), TREM-2: P < 0.0001 (34% vs 9.60%); and mean fluorescence of TREM-1: P = 0.0005 (5.43 vs 1.96), TREM-2: P = 0.0011 (6.85 vs 2.77). Increase in both of these receptors seems to be typical for PS. In discriminating sarcoidosis from other ILD, the specificity (96%) and sensitivity (72%) of the combination of TREM-1 and TREM-2 was high.
Conclusions: Increased TREM-1 and TREM-2 cell surface expression is observed in sarcoidosis. Evaluation of BAL cell expression of both of these receptors may serve as a diagnostic marker for sarcoidosis.
© 2013 The Authors. Respirology © 2013 Asian Pacific Society of Respirology.