In this study, we demonstrated that the change in plasma RIPK3 concentration from presentation to 48 h was independently associated with ARDS in two major at-risk populations, sepsis and trauma and that both lung RIPK3 expression and plasma RIPK3 concentrations rose significantly in mice treated with systemic LPS alone or when given with an inhibitor of apoptosis. The gene discussed is RIPK3; the disease is acute respiratory distress syndrome.