EPO and infection: Consistent with a pro-inflammatory state, LPS-preconditioning significantly increased EPO, IFN-γ, IL-1β, KC, TNF-α, MCP-1, MIP-1α, and IFN-β levels in the lungs (Fig 7C) and pulmonary FTT infection significantly reduced IFN-γ, IFN-β, and MMP9 levels among LPS preconditioned mice.