Two different series of experiments were performed and analyzed separately (summarized in Table 2 ). The first series of experiments ( Fig. 1-2345678 ) was performed with a PEEP of 2 cmH 2 O. Repeated recruitment manoeuvres of 1 s duration and 30 cmH 2 O peak pressure were applied every five minutes (RM5) in one lowV T (lowV T RM5) and one highV T group (highV T RM5) or every 60 minutes (RM60) in one lowV T group (lowV T RM60). One lowV T and one highV T group were ventilated without RM (lowV T noRM and highV T noRM). One group of anaesthetized but not ventilated mice served as control. A second series of experiments ( Fig. 9-101112 ) was performed, in which mice were ventilated with a PEEP of 6 cmH 2 O and low V T . RM were performed every five minutes (PEEP6_RM5), every 60 minutes (PEEP6_RM60) or not at all (PEEP6_noRM).