Key DEPs, including Cgas, Sting (Tmem173, Sting1), Ifnb1, Nlrp3, Asc (Pycard), Gsdmd, Caspase 1, and Caspase 3, were markedly elevated in ARDS lungs versus controls, as illustrated in the volcano plot and heatmap in Figures 1B,C. This evidence concerns the gene CGAS and acute respiratory distress syndrome.