The differential expression of CCL8 was validated using an additional number of fibroblasts and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid samples from normal controls (NC), patients with IPF and those with other interstitial lung diseases including non-specific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP), hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP), and sarcoidosis. The gene discussed is CCL8; the disease is idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.