We also found genes in the well-known pro-inflammatory IL-6 pathway39, were highly expressed in ARDS non-survivors throughout the whole 14 days, a finding in sync with studies demonstrating persistently elevated plasma or BAL IL-6 levels in ARDS non-survivors40 predicting poor ARDS outcomes (e.g., prolonged mechanical ventilation, organ dysfunction, and mortality)41–45. Here, IL6 is linked to acute respiratory distress syndrome.