In both IPF and SSc-ILD they express elevated MMP7, a peripheral blood IPF biomarker, elevated integrin αVβ6, a potent activator of latent TGF-β also implicated in matrix metalloproteinase expression (51), markers of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (such as COL1A1, CDH2, and FN1), and markers of cellular senescence (including CDKN2A(p16), CDKN1A(p21), and GDF15) (Supplemental Figure 12). This evidence concerns the gene TGFB1 and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.