MIF plays a pivotal role in the control of the acute immune response [17], [18], [19] and mediates the pathogenesis of acute and chronic inflammatory conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis, septic shock, acute respiratory distress syndrome and atherosclerosis by promoting and amplifying monocyte and macrophage survival, MAPK signalling and/ or cytokine release [15], [18], [20]. The gene discussed is MIF; the disease is acute respiratory distress syndrome.