Fig. 1

Oxidative stress plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of IPF through: a) promoting inflammation by increasing production of cytokines and growth factor, which causes b) fragmentation of extracellular matrix, increased myofibroblastic differentiation, fibrogenesis and epithelialization; c) as a consequence of DNA damage and p53 activation, ROS promote apoptosis of airway epithelial cells resulting in an impaired ability to regenerate alveolar epithelium. These alterations contribute to the progression of pulmonary fibrosis