MMP8 and acute respiratory distress syndrome: We selected five plasma biomarkers signifying the endothelial [Ang-2 and soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1)], epithelial [soluble receptor for activated glycation end products (sRAGE)], coagulation [plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI-1)], and neutrophil [matrix metalloproteinase-8 (MMP-8)] factors contributing to the pathogenesis of ARDS.