Alveolar epithelial cells are claimed to be a major source of VEGF-A in humans, and VEGF-A has for long been a mediator of interest in understanding the pathophysiology in acute lung injury and ARDS, as well as in interstitial lung diseases, like idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF)37. The gene discussed is VEGFA; the disease is pulmonary fibrosis.