Genes with significantly increased expression in NSIP, compared to both IPF and normal controls, were involved in regulatory mechanisms of immune reaction, including the alloreactive T cell response (indoleamine 2–3-dioxygenase-1 [IDO-1]), the humoral arm of innate immunity (long pentraxin-3 [PTX-3], IFN-induced protein 44-like [IFI-44]) and the recruitment of leukocytes into the lung compartment (Endocan, LDL receptor-related protein-2 [LRP-2]). The gene discussed is PTX3; the disease is idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.