In addition, the VEGF (mean±SD, 0.04±0.058 versus 0.0±0.0) and SDF-1b (mean±SD, 0.09±0.0188 versus 0.0±0.0) transcript levels were higher in the infected samples of IPF patients, compared to the mock infected cultures (Figure 5). This evidence concerns the gene CXCL12 and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.