HIFs have been reported to enhance endogenous pathways to protect against lung injury during acute inflammation that include: promoting vascular repair;15 suppressing the inflammatory response in bronchial epithelial cells and reducing interleukin 6 and interferon gamma-induced protein 10 expression;16 regenerating alveolar type II pneumocytes;17 preventing the bioenergetic failure of alveolar epithelial cells during Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS)18,19,20 and interacting with key metabolites such as succinate to limit damage from acute lung injury.21 The gene discussed is IL6; the disease is acute respiratory distress syndrome.