Moreover, down-regulation of MUC5B has been reported to profoundly diminish proliferation, migration and invasion of human gastrointestinal cancer cells, where this reduction is mediated, at least in part, by alteration of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway and consequent reduction of β-catenin expression [87]; this is one of the key effector pathways in IPF disease [88]. This evidence concerns the gene MUC5B and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.