Pentraxin 3 (PTX3) is expressed in a variety of cells, including inflammatory (e.g. macrophages, neutrophils, dendritic cells), endothelial, and epithelial cells. Additionally, the PTX3 level is well correlated with the severity of lung injury and multiple organ failure, and may serve as a biomarker for ALI/ARDS [107] . In order to analyse the role of PTX3 in an LPS-induced ALI model, PTX3 knock-out (PTX3-KO) mice were used, and more severe lung tissue injuries, neutrophil infiltration, cell death, activation of the coagulation cascade, and inflammatory responses were observed, indicating that PTX3 plays a protective role in the pathogenesis of ALI [108] .