Accumulating evidence has confirmed that Cxcl12 is upregulated in ALI/ARDS and may result in excessive recruitment of neutrophils into pulmonary tissues, which in turn can initiate inflammation, cause tissue injury, and ultimately lead to fibrotic changes (Isles et al., 2019; He et al., 2022). The gene discussed is CXCL12; the disease is acute respiratory distress syndrome.