While previous studies have demonstrated a role for NHE1 in cytoskeletal remodeling and differentiation in other contexts, such as cardiomyocyte differentiation [29], no prior research has directly connected NHE1 to fibroblast transformation into myofibroblasts in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). This evidence concerns the gene SLC9A1 and pulmonary fibrosis.