Detectable levels of IL-8 were found in 24% (7/29) and 77% (10/13) samples, of IL-6 in 79% (23/29) and 62% (8/13), and of VEGF-A in 76% (22/29) and 77% (10/13) of the samples from patients with IPF and controls respectively. This evidence concerns the gene CXCL8 and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.