As a key factor signalling cell growth and enhancing protein translation, mTOR has been previously related to mitochondrial autophagy.24 In line with the current data, autophagy was reported to be regulated by mTOR‐dependent pathways.38 It was further confirmed that both mTOR and mitochondrial autophagy exerted crucial effects on the pathogenesis of pulmonary diseases, including ALI.39 These findings support the evidence that inhibition of mitochondrial autophagy attenuates lung injury via activation of the mTOR pathway during H/R in PMVECs. This evidence concerns the gene MTOR and acute respiratory distress syndrome.