MMP7 and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: Therefore, these cells are referred to as “basal-like cells.” Additionally, they express high levels of mesenchymal cell markers (VIM, FN1, Col1A1) [14], alveolar markers (Abca3, Emp2, Hopx), secretory epithelial cell markers (Scgb1A1, Muc4) [15], senescence cell markers (Ccnd1, Ccnd2, Mdm2) [16], and IPF molecules (Ephb2, matrix metallopeptidase 7 [Mmp7]) [17].