Immunohistochemical staining of lung specimens from subjects with interstitial lung diseases (cryptogenic organizing pneumonia, sarcoidosis and IPF) revealed greater percentage of IL-17+ cells, stronger IL-17 and GRβ expression and higher GRβ/GRα ratio in IPF group, characterized by the poor responses to corticosteroid treatment. The gene discussed is GZMB; the disease is idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.