Figure 3. Metabolic features of the tissue-damaged environment.

Acute lung injury and its clinical correlate the acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) represent a prototypical tissue-damaged environment. Inflammatory signals, including TLR activation, lead to neutrophil recruitment. Neutrophils and other cells consume oxygen and nutrients and cause tissue damage by release of various substances, importantly ROS. Combined with the physiologic effects of tissue injury, the result is an environment characterized by hypoxia, oxidative stress, and nutrient depletion. AEC, alveolar epithelial cell; NET, neutrophil extracellular trap.