Using an in vitro assay in pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells and an in vivo ALI model, Fang and colleagues found that miR-1246 could target ACE2 (angiotensin-converting enzyme 2) and that downregulation of miR-1246 reduced cell apoptosis but increased the production of IL-1β and TNF-α 24. This evidence concerns the gene ACE2 and acute respiratory distress syndrome.