Twenty genes with the highest scores (IL6, VEGFA, IGF1, SPP1, CDH5, WNT3A, PROM1, SOX2, ICAM1, EDN1, MMP1, COL1A1, MMP7, CSF3, CAV1, POSTN, COL3A1, COMP, LCN2, and HBEGF) were identified as hub genes (Figure 6B), suggesting that these genes play roles in the occurrence and development of IPF. This evidence concerns the gene MMP7 and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.