Further, infection of mouse lungs with PA revealed enhanced phosphorylation of PKC δ and phospho-SPHK2 immunostaining predominantly in the nucleus of lung epithelial cells, and inhibiting PKC δ or SPHK2 activity with small molecule inhibitor attenuated PA-induced H3 and H4 histone acetylation and IL-6 secretion in lung epithelial cells. The gene discussed is SPHK2; the disease is infection.