What are the differences between amyloidosis and sarcoidosis? Do both involve protein depositions?
Helena
January 2014
4 thoughts on “Amyloidosis vs. sarcoidosis”
Hi Helena.
Amyloidosis is deposition of amyloid which primarily consists of a fibrillary protein that exposes its beta-sheets, which then form charateristic cross-beta-pleated sheets that make up stable fibrils. Amyloid can be diagnosed with the stain Congo red that fits perfect into these beta-sheet formed fibrils, and because of the stable structure shows apple-green birefringence under polarized light. This way amyloid can be diffenretiated from other forms of hyaline deposits.
Amyloidosis and sarcoidosis are two very different diseases. Indeed amyloidosis involves protein deposits, but it is not seen in sarcoidosis. Sarcoidosis is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system reacts to an antigen in the body itself. This produces a special type of inflammatory response, similar to a foreign reaction. Sarcoidosis is histologically characterized by the following epiteloidcelle-granulomas without necrosis.
Amyloid can be deposit in any organ and any part of the body. It is typically found in the walls of the vessels and extracellularly. Treatment depends on the type of amyloidosis and aims often to reduce or stop the condition that drives the deposition of amyloid. If you have access to the Copenhagen University Absalon database, you can stream the video with the lecture Amyloidose in Danish – here both the nature of amyloid and its deposition as well as current and experimental treatments are discussed.
Hi Helena.
Amyloidosis is deposition of amyloid which primarily consists of a fibrillary protein that exposes its beta-sheets, which then form charateristic cross-beta-pleated sheets that make up stable fibrils. Amyloid can be diagnosed with the stain Congo red that fits perfect into these beta-sheet formed fibrils, and because of the stable structure shows apple-green birefringence under polarized light. This way amyloid can be diffenretiated from other forms of hyaline deposits.
Amyloidosis and sarcoidosis are two very different diseases. Indeed amyloidosis involves protein deposits, but it is not seen in sarcoidosis. Sarcoidosis is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system reacts to an antigen in the body itself. This produces a special type of inflammatory response, similar to a foreign reaction. Sarcoidosis is histologically characterized by the following epiteloidcelle-granulomas without necrosis.
Where in the body is amyloidosis found and how is amyloidosis treated?
Amyloid can be deposit in any organ and any part of the body. It is typically found in the walls of the vessels and extracellularly. Treatment depends on the type of amyloidosis and aims often to reduce or stop the condition that drives the deposition of amyloid. If you have access to the Copenhagen University Absalon database, you can stream the video with the lecture Amyloidose in Danish – here both the nature of amyloid and its deposition as well as current and experimental treatments are discussed.