To evaluate HIF-1α as a therapeutic target of ALI and to test the treatment effects of HIF-1α augmentations against both inflammation and hypoxia in ALI, we used four HIF-1α related manipulatory approaches to treat cultured NR8383 cells: (i) the HIF-1α inhibitor PX-478; (ii) a HIF-1α-specific siRNA; (iii) the HIF-1α agonist DMOG; and (iv) a HIF-1α overexpression plasmid. The gene discussed is HIF1A; the disease is acute respiratory distress syndrome.