Here, QKI showed the highest network centrality value (0.70), whereas miR-506-3p had the highest network centrality value (0.003) directly interacting with QKI and three downregulated targets (logFC: NBEAL2 = − 0.44, PTBP2 = − 0.40, TIAL1 = − 0.31) from the bulk RNA-Seq of IPF (GSE92592). Here, NBEAL2 is linked to idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.