To elucidate whether α7nAChR activation could drive AT2-to-AT1 differentiation in vivo, we used a LPS-induced ALI model in AT2 lineage–tracing mice and found a significant increase in the number of lineage-labeled AT1 cells in the lungs of α7nAChR agonist–treated mice on day 14 compared with that in the lungs of PBS-treated mice (Figure 3, I and J, and Supplemental Figure 3, A and B). This evidence concerns the gene CHRNA7 and acute respiratory distress syndrome.