In the context of IPF, epigenetic factors such as DNA methylation and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) regulate differentially expressed miRNAs, which in turn modulate various signaling pathways implicated in this process, including transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1)/Smad, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), and phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/AKT) pathways. The gene discussed is WNK2; the disease is idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.