Because of the decreased TIM-3 expression in BALF CD4+ T cells of patients, we also analyzed the levels of galectin-9 in these cells and found that the expression of galectin-9 in BALF CD4+ cells from patients was similar to that in healthy controls (figure 1f), suggesting a normal galectin-9 expression in sarcoidosis. This evidence concerns the gene LGALS9 and sarcoidosis.