Taking into account the fact that polymorphism in the promoter region of the MUC5B gene plays a role in IPF pathogenesis and the honeycomb areas are lined with bronchiolar-like epithelium, Tanabe et al. [35] speculated that the small airway remodeling might be involved in the honeycomb formation. This evidence concerns the gene MUC5B and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.