NF-κB inhibition after cecal ligation and puncture reduces sepsis-associated lung injury without altering bacterial host defense.

Introduction: Since the NF-κB pathway regulates both inflammation and host defense, it is uncertain whether interventions targeting NF-κB would be beneficial in sepsis. Based on the kinetics of the innate immune response, we postulated that selective NF-κB inhibition during a defined time period after the onset of sepsis would reduce acute lung injury without compromising bacterial host defense.

Methods: Mice underwent cecal ligation and puncture (CLP).