In the BAL from sarcoidosis patients the populations of interleukin-3 receptor (IL-3R)/CD123-expressing HLA-DR+CD11c- pDCs were increased, both in proportions (median 0.06%, range 0.02-0.36, compared with healthy controls: median 0.03%, range 0.01-0.08, p = 0.03) and in absolute numbers (median: 201 cells/ml, range: 23-1740, compared with healthy controls: median 17 cells/ml, range 11-133, p = 0.02; Figure 2A). Here, ITGAX is linked to sarcoidosis.