Endotoxin up-regulates interleukin-18: potential role for gram-negative colonization in sarcoidosis.

Rationale And Objectives: Sarcoidosis is a granulomatous disease of unknown etiology characterized by a helper T-cell type 1-mediated process. Previously we demonstrated a role for interleukin-18 in sarcoidosis. Here we examine the regulation of interleukin-18 in this condition.