PFKFB2 and acute respiratory distress syndrome: This study demonstrates that the upregulation of the glycolytic regulator 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase 2 (PFKFB2) by hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) enhances glycolysis, drives DC maturation, and exacerbates inflammation, contributing to the pathogenesis of ALI.