In our study, activated Caspase-1 was found to be colocalized and overlap with pro-SPC, a marker for AEC II, in the lung tissues of ALI mice as well as in cells of alveolar lavage fluids from ARDS patients, indicating that AEC II produces activated Caspase-1 in the injured lungs. The gene discussed is CASP1; the disease is acute respiratory distress syndrome.