IPF has become the focus of study in the area of pulmonary fibrosis, accounting for over 25% of all interstitial lung diseases (ILD) 1 and over 60% of all idiopathic interstitial pneumonia (IIP). The past 20 years have observed the remarkable tendency of increase of IPF incidence, accompanied by only 2-3 years of medium survival after diagnosis and 30-50% of 5-year survival2. Due to limited diagnosis method at early stage of the disease, the patients are most likely diagnosed only when they reach middle or late stage. Other issue is lack of effective treatment, except for lung transplantation. Most of the deaths are caused by acute exacerbation, which is defined by clinicians as acute exacerbation of IPF (AE-IPF) and characterized by the rapid deterioration during relatively stable period of IPF (Stable-IPF). Exacerbation may occur at all stages of IPF development (see the below figure) and is accompanied by hazardous and quick development, high mortality and very poor prognosis.