In addition, we found increases in the expression of MMP14, MMP10, MMP12, MMP7, and MMP13. Higher levels of the MMPs encoded by those genes have been reported in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis patients and in a murine model of lung disease, and these increases may play various roles in airway tissue remodeling [41]. Here, MMP7 is linked to pulmonary fibrosis.