TGFβ1 is a pleiotropic cytokine with a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of pulmonary fibrosis by its potent stimulatory activity on extracellular matrix synthesis, activation, differentiation and migration of myofibroblasts, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, and production of pro-fibrotic factors and apoptosis of alveolar epithelial cells17,18. The gene discussed is TGFB1; the disease is pulmonary fibrosis.