Interleukin 1 secretion from alveolar macrophages in pulmonary sarcoidosis

Alveolar macrophages obtained from 28 patients with pulmonary sarcoidosis were investigated to determine their ability spontaneously to release interleukin 1. In 14 of these patients, a significant spontaneous liberation of interleukin 1 was observed; the BAL parameters of these patients pointed to an elevated activity of the disease.