CGAS and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: AECs from IPF lung tissue displayed higher baseline senescence than control AECs, as assessed by increased nuclear histone 2AXγ phosphorylation, p21 mRNA and expression of SASP cytokines, whereas inhibition of cGAS diminished IPF-AEC senescence and attenuated induction of control AEC senescence following etoposide-induced DNA damage, identifying cGAS as a potential therapeutic target in IPF.