Flow cytometric analysis of CD4+ T cells also demonstrated a decreased frequency of FoxP3+ cells in the BALF and blood of sarcoidosis patients as well as a reduced intensity (mean fluorescence intensity) of FoxP3 expression in BALF FoxP3+ cells of patients.
Although the FOXP3 gene polymorphism has no effect on susceptibility to sarcoidosis, the (GT)15 allele may exert protective effects against skin involvement.