I focus on advancing pulmonary therapeutics by investigating both the effects of environmental pollutants and developing targeted drug delivery systems for lung diseases. We propose that one can mitigate intratracheal bleomycin-induced acute lung injury by blocking the activity of IL-1 in both the inflammatory and fibrotic phases. We propose to use expression of the soluble IL-1 receptor (sIL-1R), delivered specifically to the lung as mRNA via the intravascular route to reduce IL-1 signaling. The treatment approach in this timeframe can prompt early action and prevent worsening clinical outcomes. Further, our proposed study will spark future development of pulmonary gene therapeutics that were previously not feasible.