Annexins family: insights into their functions and potential role in pathogenesis of sarcoidosis

Annexins are Ca(2+)-regulated phospholipid-binding proteins that play an important role in the cell life cycle, exocytosis, and apoptosis. Annexin A11 is one of the oldest vertebrate annexins that has a crucial role in sarcoidosis pathogenesis. The mechanism of effect in sarcoidosis granuloma cells may be due to alterations in apoptosis. Immune cells with a specific mutation at protein location 230 are resistant to apoptosis and consequently have continued effects on inflammation and progression of sarcoidosis. The mechanism of action of annexin A11 may be based upon alterations in delivering calcium to two different apoptosis pathways (caspase and P53).