Sarcoidosis remains an enigma in modern medicine. Its hallmark is the formation of noncaseating granulomas, primarily in the lungs, yet the disease extends far beyond the respiratory system. Despite extensive research, what triggers sarcoidosis remains elusive.
Could the key lie in an unexpected place? Recent breakthroughs in microbiota research suggest a compelling connection between the body's microbial ecosystem and immune homeostasis. Dysbiosis—an imbalance in the gut and lung microbiota—has been implicated in a variety of autoimmune and inflammatory conditions. Could this microbial imbalance be the missing piece in the sarcoidosis pathogenetic puzzle? This research topic aims to unravel the microbiota-immune axis, potentially shifting our understanding of sarcoidosis development.
The goal of this Research Topic is to explore the hypothesis that sarcoidosis may, in part, be a disease of the microbiota. Through cutting-edge tools like metagenomics, microbiome sequencing, and immune profiling, we seek to identify how microbial communities— particularly in the gut and lungs—interact with the immune system to influence disease onset, severity, and progression. Could restoring microbial balance be a game-changer for treatment? We invite researchers to investigate probiotics, microbiota transplants, and diet based interventions as potential therapeutic avenues. Moreover, we encourage exploration of microbial-derived metabolites as biomarkers for early disease detection and precision medicine strategies. By bringing the microbiota into the spotlight, we aim to reshape the future of sarcoidosis research and treatment.
We invite researchers to contribute Original Research, Review, Mini Review, and Perspective articles addressing key questions such as:
- How does gut and lung microbiota composition differ in sarcoidosis patients?
- What role do microbial metabolites play in granuloma formation and immune dysregulation?
- Can targeted microbiota therapies, such as probiotics or fecal microbiota transplantation, alter disease progression?
- How do environmental exposures and diet influence microbiota composition in sarcoidosis?
- Are there specific bacterial or viral signatures that could serve as diagnostic or prognostic biomarkers?
By fostering collaboration between immunologists, microbiologists, pulmonologists, and data scientists, this Research Topic aims to push the boundaries of current knowledge and open new therapeutic possibilities for sarcoidosis.
Dr. Claudio Tana is a section editor of Annals of Medicine and Prof. Paolo Spagnolo has an Institutional Grand from Roche, Boehringer-ing.
Keywords: Sarcoidosis, Microbiota, Dysbiosis, Immune Modulation, Precision Medicine, Granulomas, Metagenomics, Biomarkers
Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
