Molecular markers of telomere dysfunction and senescence are common findings in the usual interstitial pneumonia pattern of lung fibrosis

Abstract

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a genetically mediated, age‐associated, progressive form of pulmonary fibrosis characterised pathologically by a usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP) pattern of fibrosis. The UIP pattern is also found in pulmonary fibrosis attributable to clinical diagnoses other than IPF (non‐IPF UIP), whose clinical course is similarly poor, suggesting common molecular drivers. This study investigates whether IPF and non‐IPF UIP lungs similarly express markers of telomere dysfunction and senescence.