Nrf2 promotes alveolar mitochondrial biogenesis and resolution of lung injury in Staphylococcus aureus pneumonia in mice

► Staphylococcus aureus pneumonia induces alveolar mitochondrial biogenesis in mice. Nrf2−/− mice show impaired lung mitochondrial biogenesis compared to WT mice. ► Type II cells are a main site of Nrf2-regulated alveolar mitochondrial biogenesis. ► Nrf2−/− mice have low type II cell anti-inflammatory IL-10 and SOCS3 responses. ► Nrf2 links alveolar mitochondrial biogenesis to local IL-10 and SOCS3 synthesis.