Furthermore, SIRT1 activity promotes the self‐renewal and differentiation of type 2 alveolar epithelial cells in lung tissues of old mice and patients affected by idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and its expression is dependent on the levels of the zinc transporter SLC39A8 (ZIP8).68 Here, SIRT1 is linked to idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.