Differences between groups analyzed by one-way ANOVA and post hoc tests.

<p>Levels of leptin, ICAM-1, and PDGF-BB were assayed in healthy patients and patients with sarcoidosis or tuberculosis. Statistical significance is indicated. Error bars denote S.D. The results showed that the expression levels of leptin and ICAM-1 in the SA group were significantly different from those in the HC and TB groups, respectively (<i>P</i> < 0.001). Interestingly, no significant differences were observed between the HC and TB groups (<i>P</i> > 0.05). Additionally, there were no significant differences in PDGF-BB expression levels among the 3 groups (<i>P</i> > 0.05).</p

Identification of differentially expressed proteins in the SA and TB groups using protein microarray analysis.

<p>*a SA = sarcoidosis, TB = tuberculosis, HC = healthy control.</p><p>*b <i>P</i> < 0.05; “/” indicates not detected.</p><p>Identification of differentially expressed proteins in the SA and TB groups using protein microarray analysis.</p

General information and clinical indices of the SA, TB, and HC groups included in the ELISA analysis.

<p>*a. CXR = chest X-ray; N/A = not applicable; CXR stage: 0 = no adenopathy, no lung infiltrates; Stage I = hilar and mediastinal adenopathy only; Stage II = hilar and mediastinal adenopathy plus lung infiltrates; Stage III = lung infiltrates only; Stage IV = pulmonary fibrosis.</p><p>*b. BMI (body mass index) = weight/height², SA vs. TB (<i>P</i> < 0.00001), SA vs. HC (<i>P</i> > 0.05).</p><p>*c. SA vs. TB (<i>P</i> < 0.05).</p><p>*d SA = sarcoidosis, TB = tuberculosis, HC = healthy control.</p><p>General information and clinical indices of the SA, TB, and HC groups included in the ELISA analysis.</p

IHC analysis of lung sections from patients in the SA and TB groups.

<p>Staining for ICAM-1 is shown (×200). ICAM-1 showed scattered, clustered, strong expression in the lungs and lymph nodes of patients in the SA group but exhibited nonspecific staining or weak expression in the lungs of patients in the TB group. Additionally, a hazel-colored region was observed in the tissues adjacent to the granuloma (<a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0132466#pone.0132466.g003" target="_blank">Fig 3</a>).</p

Procedure for recruiting SA patients.

<p>Procedure for recruiting SA patients.</p

IHC analysis of lung sections from patients in the SA and TB groups. Staining for leptin is shown (×200).

<p>In the SA group, leptin exhibited positive expression in the lung and was scattered in the granuloma and its adjacent tissues. In the TB group, it showed nonspecific staining, although some hazel-colored regions could be imaged in the adjacent tissues. Leptin accumulated in the center of the lymphoglandulae granuloma in the SA group, exhibiting strong positive expression, while that in the TB group showed significantly weaker expression (<a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0132466#pone.0132466.g002" target="_blank">Fig 2</a>).</p

General information and characteristics of the SA, TB, and HC groups included in the protein microarray analysis.

<p>*a SA = sarcoidosis, TB = tuberculosis, HC = healthy control.</p><p>*b N/A = not applicable.</p><p>General information and characteristics of the SA, TB, and HC groups included in the protein microarray analysis.</p

Procedure for recruiting TB patients.

<p>Procedure for recruiting TB patients.</p

ROC curves for the association of BMI, leptin, and ICAM-1 or combined factors with the differential diagnosis of SA and TB.

<p>The concentrations of serum ICAM-1 and leptin obtained from ELISA analysis were used to establish ROC curves to identify SA (n = 89) and TB (n = 89).</p

Cut-off values, sensitivity, and specificity of ROC curves for differential diagnosis of SA and TB.

<p>*a. PRE-BMI and leptin: When we applied BMI and leptin to the logistic regression equation, if the prediction probability was positive (greater than or equal to the cutoff value: 0.5076), patients were diagnosed with sarcoidosis.</p><p>*b. PRE-leptin and ICAM-1: When we applied leptin and ICAM-1 to the logistic regression equation, if the prediction probability was positive (greater than or equal to the cutoff value: 0.4080), patients were diagnosed with sarcoidosis.</p><p>*c. PRE-BMI, leptin, and ICAM-1: When we applied BMI, leptin, and ICAM-1 to the logistic regression equation, if the prediction probability was positive (greater than or equal to the cutoff value: 0.3651), patients were diagnosed with sarcoidosis.</p><p>Cut-off values, sensitivity, and specificity of ROC curves for differential diagnosis of SA and TB.</p