Airway basal cells show a dedifferentiated KRT17highPhenotype and promote fibrosis in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

The functional role of airway basal cells has not been comprehensively studied in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Here, the authors show that airway basal cells of IPF patients display a distinct phenotype, are profibrotic if transplanted to mice and that fibrosis can be ameliorated by Src iinhibitors.