HuR appears to function via direct binding to mRNAs for COL1A1, COL3A1, ACTA2, and FN, and it was found that HuR is localized to a greater degree in the cytosol in cells from mouse lung fibrosis models as well as human idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis patients. This evidence concerns the gene ELAVL1 and pulmonary fibrosis.