In addition, the loss of autophagy-related (ATG) genes, such as Atg7, Atg5 and Atg4b, significantly aggravates the development of ALI in mice [11,32], suggesting that autophagy may exert protective effects for the initiation and progression of ALI in certain contexts (Figure 2). This evidence concerns the gene ENSG00000279284 and acute respiratory distress syndrome.