We studied four groups of mice. Two groups consisted of B6 and lpr mice instilled with PBS and allowed to breathe spontaneously ("SB") (n = 7 for B6 mice, 4 for lpr). The other two groups consisted of B6 and lpr mice instilled with LPS and exposed mechanical ventilation (MV + LPS) (n = 10 for B6 mice, 6 for lpr). The main experimental comparison was between the B6 and lpr mice instilled with LPS and exposed to ventilation.