In two separate studies, STC1 mediates the anti-apoptotic effects of MSCs in lung epithelial cells [39], and MSCs exhibited anti-fibrotic impact via STC1 secretion in pulmonary fibrosis, which manifests paracrine function by the reduction in TGF-β1 production from alveolar macrophages [40]. This evidence concerns the gene TGFB1 and pulmonary fibrosis.