In summary, blockade of the CXCR7 axis improved clinical signs of nebulized LPS inhalation as shown by an improvement in the breathing pattern, a reduction in the vascular barrier dysfunction, and a reduction in immune cell infiltrates into the BAL, thus, confirming the importance of the CXCR3/CXCR4/CXCR7 axis in ALI/ARDS. This evidence concerns the gene CXCR3 and acute respiratory distress syndrome.