Moreover, using an animal model of IPF, in which mice with severe combined immunodeficiency were infused with fibroblasts from patients with IPF, a significant reduction in fibrosis and increased repair of the airway epithelium were achieved following an anti-IL-13 antibody treatment; this result supports a critical role of IL-13 in IPF development (54). This evidence concerns the gene IL13 and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.