Myeloid differentiation protein 2 silencing decreases LPS-induced cytokine production and TLR4/MyD88 pathway activity in alveolar macrophages

► RNA interference of MD-2 attenuated LPS-induced up-regulated transcription levels of MD-2, TLR4 and MyD88 in the NR8383 cell line. ► LPS induced increases of TNF-(alpha), IL-1β and IL-6 levels in NR8383 cell supernatants was inhibited by MD-2 silencing. ► In association with TLR4/MyD88 pathway MD-2 silencing may be a potential therapeutic tool against LPS-induced lung inflammation.