Future directions on the role of CCN1 in ALI/ARDS in vivo include the following: (1) examining the levels of CCN1 and IL-6 in BALF of CCN1 transgenic mouse; (2) administration of a bioactive PI3K inhibitor in vivo and examining the IL-6 secretion in BALF, in the presence and absence of LPS stimulation. The gene discussed is CCN1; the disease is acute respiratory distress syndrome.