IFNG and pulmonary fibrosis: Lung fibrosis is characterized by inflammatory and fibroproliferative changes, including the release of inflammatory cytokines such as interleukins (IL-1β, IL-4, and IL-13), TNF-α, IFN-γ, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and transforming growth factor β (TGF-β), and transcription factors such as nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) [63].