SERPINB3 and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: In this study, SerpinB3 was identified as significantly overexpressed in patients with IPF vs. controls, with a positive correlation shown between SerpinB3 levels and the expression of both Transforming Growth Factor (TGF)-β1 and the extension of fibroblastic foci, also suggesting for the first time the possible induction of proliferation and activation of lung fibroblasts in a paracrine way [20].