The expression of SLC31A1, CD274, ATOX1, MTF1, UBE2D1, DLD, and VEGFA was found to be upregulated, while that of DLST, UBE2D2, COX11, DLAT, GLS, FDX1, and ULK2 were significantly downregulated in patients with sepsis-associated ALI (Fig. 1B). Here, VEGFA is linked to acute respiratory distress syndrome.