Epithelial senescence in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is propagated by small extracellular vesicles

Abstract Background Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic lung disease that affects 3 million people worldwide. Senescence and small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) have been implicated in the pathogenesis of IPF, although how sEVs promote disease remains unclear. Here, we profile sEVs from bronchial epithelial cells and determine small RNA (smRNA) content. Methods Conditioned media was collected and sEVs were isolated from normal human bronchial epithelial cells (NHBEs) and IPF-diseased human bronchial epithelial cells (DHBEs). Results Increased sEV release from DHBEs compared to NHBEs (n = 4; p