Galectin-3 (Gal-3) is a pro-fibrotic, mammalian ß-galactoside binding lectin found to be highly upregulated in the injured lung, particularly in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) suffering acute exacerbations (MacKinnon et al., 2012). This evidence concerns the gene LGALS3 and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.