We showed previously that SPARC produced by IPF fibroblasts activates Akt by phosphorylation of serine 473 (Ser473) leading to inhibition of glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK-3β), which resulted in activation of the β-catenin pathway and inhibition of apoptosis [12]. The gene discussed is AKT1; the disease is idiopathic interstitial pneumonia.