In particular, for factor analysis of the 20 silicosis patients various respiratory, inflammatory, and some growth factor items were chosen from all of the measured items and comprised the following: Respiratory factors: Years of exposure, PR, %VC, and %FEV1]; Inflammatory and Growth factors; IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-8, IL-10, IL-17, IFNα2, IFNγ, IP-10/CXCL10, MCP-1/CCL2, MIP1α/CCL3, TNFα, and TGFβ; in addition to Npnt. The gene discussed is NPNT; the disease is silicosis.