GPX4 and COVID-19: Its core molecular machinery, including glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), acyl-CoA synthetase long-chain family member 4 (ACSL4), and the cystine/glutamate antiporter system Xc-, becomes dysregulated across various ALI subtypes, such as sepsis, ischemia-reperfusion, and COVID-19.This review delineates how ferroptosis contributes to ALI through iron overload, uncontrolled lipid peroxidation, and failure of antioxidant defenses, ultimately leading to pulmonary endothelial and epithelial cell death.