Given that VEGF-A potentially plays a role in normal lung maintenance and repair, it has been hypothesised that in relatively normal areas of the IPF lung, VEGF-A released from ATII cells may play a role in alveolar wall protection, contributing to the regeneration of wall defects; with locally increased vascularity occurring as part of the attempted repair process [105]. Here, VEGFA is linked to idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.