Regulatory T Cells in Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome: Current Status and Potential for Future Immunotherapies

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a critical condition characterized by the rapid onset of noncardiogenic pulmonary edema, leading to respiratory failure. ARDS as defined by the Berlin definition established in 2012¹  is present in approximately 10% of patients admitted to intensive care units.²  Several limitations of this definition have emerged, notably its restrictive aspect, prompting recent efforts to expand it. As illustrated by a recent consensus conference proposing a new global definition for ARDS by updating the Berlin definition,³  these efforts aim to harmonize the diagnosis and management of ARDS, as well as research, in this field based on the natural history of ARDS.

ARDS can be triggered by various factors, either pulmonary (e.g., pneumonia or inhalation) or extrapulmonary (e.g., sepsis, trauma, or pancreatitis).⁴  Regardless of the cause, the early stage of ARDS pathophysiology is mainly driven by a dysregulated immune...