Conversely, serum HIF-2α protein levels significantly decreased after 3 h of ARDS injury (median, 3.09 ng/mL [IQR, 2.74–3.23 ng/mL] vs. 2.09 ng/mL [IQR, 1.60–2.25 ng/mL]; p = 0.008), as shown in Figure 6. This evidence concerns the gene EPAS1 and acute respiratory distress syndrome.