Normal ex vivo mesenchymal stem cell function combined with abnormal immune profiles sets the stage for informative cell therapy trials in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis patients.

Background: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic, progressive pulmonary disease characterized by aberrant tissue remodeling, formation of scar tissue within the lungs and continuous loss of lung function. The areas of fibrosis seen in lungs of IPF patients share many features with normal aging lung including cellular senescence. The contribution of the immune system to the etiology of IPF remains poorly understood.