Zaiyan Wang,1 Yuan Zhang,2 Xiaoning Li3 

1Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Shanghai University of Medicine & Health Sciences Affiliated Zhoupu Hospital, Shanghai, 201318, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200433, People’s Republic of China; 3Department of Geriatric Medicine, Shanghai University of Medicine & Health Sciences Affiliated Zhoupu Hospital, Shanghai, 201318, People’s Republic of China

Correspondence: Xiaoning Li, Department of Geriatric Medicine, Shanghai University of Medicine & Health Sciences Affiliated Zhoupu Hospital, Shanghai, 201318, People’s Republic of China, Email xihao5182020@163.com Yuan Zhang Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200433, People’s Republic of China, Email zhs0905@126.com

Abstract: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) poses a formidable clinical challenge, characterized by the thickening of alveolar septa and the onset of pulmonary fibrosis. The pronounced activation of oxidative stress emerges as a pivotal hallmark of inflammation. Traditional application of exogenous antioxidants proves inadequate in addressing oxidative stress, necessitating exploration into strategies to augment their antioxidant efficacy. Exosomes, nano-sized extracellular vesicles harboring a diverse array of bioactive factors, present as promising carriers with the potential to meet this challenge. Recent attention has been directed towards the clinical applications of exosomes in IPF, fueling the impetus for this comprehensive review. We have compiled fresh insights into the role of exosomes in modulating oxidative stress in IPF and delved into their potential as carriers for regulating endogenous reactive oxygen species generation. This review endeavors to bridge the divide between exosome research and IPF, traversing from bedside to bench. Through the synthesis of recent findings, we propose exosomes as a novel and promising strategy for improving the outcomes of IPF therapy.

Keywords: oxidative stress, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, exosomes, treatment