Overall, the reported activation of ERK1/2 and NF-κB in previous studies was consistent with our results; in particular, NF-κB is a prototypical proinflammatory transcription factor that plays important roles in the expression of numerous cytokines and chemokines, and many studies have demonstrated its involvement in the occurrence and development of ARDS (60, 61). This evidence concerns the gene MAPK3 and acute respiratory distress syndrome.