| COPD | Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease |
| IPF | Idiopathic pulmonary disease |
| TEM | Transmission electron microscopy |
| NGS | Next-generation sequencing |
| miRNA | Micro RNA |
| BALF | Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid |
| EMT | Epithelial–mesenchymal transition |
| ISEV | International Society for Extracellular Vesicles |