Consistent with the role of nmMLCK in lung inflammatory processes, several amino acid-altering MYLK SNPs in the unique N-terminus of nmMLCK (P21H, S147P, V261A) are highly associated with the susceptibility to acute inflammatory states such as acute lung injury/acute respiratory distress syndrome (ALI/ARDS) and severe asthma, especially in individuals of African descent [24–26]. This evidence concerns the gene MYLK and acute respiratory distress syndrome.