HMGB1 binds at least eight distinct receptors, including TLR44, 8, 13 and is a key mediator of severe sepsis44 reproducing extracellular NAMPT/PBEF-mediated pathologic features (lung vascular permeability, interstitial edema, neutrophil infiltration) in rodent ARDS models24. This evidence concerns the gene HMGB1 and acute respiratory distress syndrome.