ACTH	Adrenocorticotropic hormone
ALI	Acute lung injury
AP-1	Activator protein-1
ARDS	Acute respiratory distress syndrome
ATP	Adenosine triphosphate
BALF	Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid
CAP	Community-acquired pneumonia
cGCR	Cytosolic glucocorticoid receptor
CRP	C-reactive protein
CS	Corticosteroids
DAMPs	Danger-associated molecular patterns
DNA	Deoxyribonucleic acid
eNOS	Endothelial nitric oxide synthase
FiO2	Fraction of inspired oxygen
G-CSF	Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor
GM-CSF	Granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor
GR	Glucocorticoid receptor
GRE	Glucocorticoid response element
HCAP	Healthcare-associated pneumonia
i.p.	Intraperitoneal
i.t.	Intratracheal
i.v.	Intravenous
ICAM	Intercellular adhesion molecule
ICU	Intensive care unit
IFN	Interferon
IL	Interleukin
LIS	Lung injury score
LPS	Lipopolysaccharide
MCP	Monocyte chemoattractant protein
MIP	Macrophage inflammatory protein
MMP	Matrix metalloproteinase
MODS	Multiple organ dysfunction syndrome
MPO	Myeloperoxidase
mRNA	Mitochondrial ribonucleic acid
NETs	Neutrophil extracellular traps
NF-κB	Nuclear factor-κB
NMBA	Neuromuscular blocking agents
NO	Nitric oxide
NOS	Nitric oxide synthase
PaCO2	Arterial partial pressure of carbon dioxide
PaO2	Arterial partial pressure of oxygen
PEEP	Positive end-expiratory pressure
RAGE	Receptor for advanced glycation end products
RCT	Randomized controlled trial
SIRS	Systemic inflammatory response syndrome
TGFβ	Transforming growth factor
TNF	Tumour necrosis factor
VILI	Ventilator-induced lung injury
VT	Tidal volume
vWf	Von Willebrand factor
WD	Wet-dry lung weight ratio