There was a significant increase of IGFBP-2, IL-8, TGF-β, MMP-7, MMP-9 and KL-6 (p<0.05, p<0.0001, p<0.05, p<0.05, p<0.0001, p<0.05 respectively) in IPF patients compared to HS. Here, MMP7 is linked to idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.