Transforming Growth Factor beta 1 (TGFβ1) released following epithelial cell damage is a key upstream pro-fibrotic growth factor driving IPF pathophysiology (Raghu et al., 1989; Border and Noble, 1994; Branton and Kopp, 1999; Leask and Abraham, 2004). Here, TGFB1 is linked to idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.