Plasma levels of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, surfactant protein D (SP-D), and soluble tumour necrosis factor receptor I/II (sTNFrI/II) are elevated in patients with ALI, their levels change in response to different ventilation strategies, and interestingly, this response is rapid [11-15]. This evidence concerns the gene SFTPD and acute respiratory distress syndrome.