There is increased phosphorylation of IκBα and more degradation of IκBα during the pathogenesis of VILI. (a) Measurements of phosphorylation state of IκBα in whole-lung homogenates from mice placed on either high– or low–peak pressure/stretch ventilator protocol for 2 hours, or from normal nonventilated mice (n = 6 mice per group). *P < 0.02. (b) Western blot analysis of IκBα protein levels in whole-lung homogenates from mice placed on either high– or low–peak pressure/stretch ventilator protocol for 2 hours, or from normal nonventilated mice. Semiquantitative results are expressed as a band density area (n = 6 mice per group). *P < 0.02.