lncRNA Xist (Wang et al., 2019d), which acts as a ceRNA to negatively upregulate IRF2 (interferon regulatory factor 2) expression to sponge miR-204, significantly decreases the PaO2/FiO2 ratio and aggravates lipopolysaccharide-induced ARDS in mice by regulating the miR-204/IRF2 axis. This evidence concerns the gene IRF2 and acute respiratory distress syndrome.