Telomeres are DNA-protein structures that cap the ends of chromosomes; telomerase is the enzyme that ensures their integrity. Telomere biology has recently been implicated in the pathogenesis of a variety of lung diseases, including idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease/emphysema, and lung cancer. This review highlights recent discoveries pertaining to the role of telomere biology in lung disease.
Keywords: COPD; IPF; TERC; TERT; chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis; telomerase RNA component; telomerase reverse transcriptase.
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