Spatially resolved atlas of IPF fibroblastic foci identifies that PAK2 kinase activation is involved in fibrogenesis

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a fatal interstitial lung disease characterized by progressive fibrosis of the lung parenchyma. To identify potential therapeutic targets for IPF, we conducted spatial transcriptomic analysis and single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq). Our findings reveal that PAK plays a critical role in the immature fibroblast niche during fibrogenesis, highlighting its potential as a therapeutic target for the treatment of IPF. Lung tissue samples were obtained from three patients diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) for analysis. Spatial transcriptomic analysis was performed on nine lung tissue sections derived from these three patients.