The mast cell maturation chemokine, CXCL12, was also upregulated in IPF plasma (fold change 1.92, FDR 0.006) and significantly correlated (Pearson r = − 0.38, p = 0.022) to lung function (%predicted FVC), with a concomitant increase in the mast cell Tryptase, TPSB2. Here, CXCL12 is linked to idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.