Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic lung disease and is characterized by an excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins, including type I and type III collagens and fibronectin, in the parenchyma that ultimately leads to a stiff microenvironment, respiratory failure and death (1, 2). The gene discussed is FN1; the disease is idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.