The expression levels of CFH and FHL2 in the IPF group were significantly upregulated in fibroblasts marked by ACTA2 and COL1A1, confirming that the two key genes obtained in this study are closely related to fibrosis induced by fibroblasts (p < 2^10–16) (Figures 8D,E). This evidence concerns the gene ACTA2 and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.