Numerous reports have demonstrated that myofibroblasts isolated from IPF patients, when compared to normal fibroblasts, display several morphological and functional abnormalities, including a spindle or stellate morphology with α‐smooth muscle actin (α‐SMA) stress fibers, hyperproliferative potential, excessive synthesis and remodeling of extracellular matrix, and expression of growth factors and cytokines that drive fibrogenesis. This evidence concerns the gene ACTA1 and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.