NFATc3+/- mice that received NFATC3+/+ pulmonary macrophages by adoptive transfer or rmCXCL2 alone showed increased pulmonary fibrosis severity and fibrotic gene expression similar to that of WT/ NFATc3+/+ mice, suggesting a pivotal role for NFATc3 in the development of lung fibrosis. Here, NFATC3 is linked to pulmonary fibrosis.