TGFB1 and pulmonary fibrosis: Previously, it was demonstrated that the involvement of Gal-3 in promoting TGF-β1 signaling [83] further induces epithelial–mesenchymal transition, ECM production, and apoptosis of alveolar epithelial cells (AECs) in pulmonary fibrosis, whereas inhibiting TGF-β activity reduces PF [29,93,94,95].