STAT3 and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: Furthermore, we observed that both LBH589- and pirfenidone-treatment resulted in significant suppression of STAT3-phosphorylation at Tyr705 and its activation, as well as in reduction of ECM-associated proteins α-SMA, tropomyosin and collagen-I in IPF-fibroblasts, when compared to vehicle.