We demonstrate that the treatment of IPF and SSc fibroblasts, but not control fibroblasts, with 5AZA resulted in a concentration-dependent increase in COX-2 expression, PGE2 production, decreased collagen expression, as well as restoring sensitivity to apoptosis in fibrotic lung fibroblasts. This evidence concerns the gene PTGER2 and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.