The expression/activity of these K2P channels can be affected by inflammatory cytokines (e.g., TNF-α) or life-saving therapies (e.g., mechanical ventilation and hyperoxia) during the development of ALI/ARDS, and these K2P channels, particularly the TREK-1 channel, are suggested to act as key regulators of alveolar epithelial barrier function and the inflammatory response in ALI/ARDS (summarized in Table 1 and Fig. 4D) [8, 36]. Here, TNF is linked to acute respiratory distress syndrome.