We therefore examined polymorphisms in the genes encoding interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10, interferon gamma (IFN-γ), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), and transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-β1), and compared the serum levels of these cytokines in IPF patients and healthy controls. Here, IL6 is linked to idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.