Herein, we explored the molecular mechanism by which microRNA‐205‐5p (miR‐205‐5p) affects the autophagy of alveolar macrophages (AMs) and pulmonary fibrosis in mice with silicosis through the E2F transcription factor 1 (E2F1)/S‐phase kinase‐associated protein 2 (SKP2)/Beclin1 axis. The gene discussed is SKP2; the disease is silicosis.