RNA in situ hybridization (RNA-ISH) results further confirm significant co-localization of KRT17 and SOX9 in fibrotic lung tissues, providing direct evidence for the involvement of dysregulated epithelial cells in collagen synthesis.In summary, BAAT is markedly upregulated in the lungs of IPF patients, and its cellular origin is closely associated with pathological airway remodeling and abnormal ECM accumulation. Here, SOX9 is linked to idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.