Comparison of in vivo bioluminescence imaging and lavage biomarkers to assess pulmonary inflammation

► rNF-kB-Luc mice inhaled a range of doses of endotoxin to upregulate NF-kB. ► Mice developed marked inflammation based on neutrophilia and cytokine production. ► We evaluated NF-kB signaling in vivo over time by bioluminescence imaging. ► Imaging was far less sensitive than measuring neutrophils or cytokines in lung lavage. ► This imaging method was useful only at unrealistically-high doses of endotoxin.