In IPF samples, LGR6 expression was generally increased in the basal progenitor populations, reaching the highest protein levels in areas of bronchiolization and honeycombing, whereas in COPD tissues, LGR6-positive basal cells were observed in damaged and inflated bronchioles and in proliferative bronchiolar lesions, but not in airways proximal to emphysematous lesions. Here, LGR6 is linked to idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.