Lead compounds J27644 (4, Figure 2, HDAC6/8 inhibitor, IC50s 13 and 151 nM, respectively) and 5 (Figure 2, HDAC6 inhibitor, IC50 = 62 nM) reduced α-SMA and Col1a1 protein levels and efficiently modulated fibroblast survival, countering pulmonary fibrosis. Here, HDAC6 is linked to pulmonary fibrosis.