Data from scRNA-seq comparing IPF and control lung tissue have provided evidence for the presence of an aberrant epithelial cell type, which expresses markers including matrix metalloproteinase 7 (MMP7), integrin αVβ6, cellular senescence, and epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) and represents a major driver of IPF pathogenesis [18]. Here, MMP7 is linked to idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.