In spite of the two major barriers met by the viruses after intratracheal administration: the mucociliary clearance system and the glycocalix [42] , in the present study we have demonstrated efficient uptake of an SV40 vector in the lungs of animals with sepsis-induced ARDS. Although nonspecific, these vectors appear to be capable of in vivo transduction of alveolar type II cells, key cells involved in regenerative process of the lung [10] .