Further analysis showed that these cells were enriched for biological processes relevant to lung injury and fibrosis, such as “VEGF production,” “positive regulation of angiogenesis,” “monocytes chemotaxis,” and “ECM binding.” Thus, cluster a ECs exhibit a pro-fibrotic phenotype and may play a critical role in lung fibrosis through potential cross-linking with AMs and stromal cells. This evidence concerns the gene VEGFA and pulmonary fibrosis.