Provided are methods for preventing and treating inflammation and organ injury after ischemia/reperfusion, and methods for treating lung injury, comprising administering a milk fat globule epidermal growth factor-factor VIII (MFG-E8) to a subject. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions comprising MFG-E8 in dosage form for preventing and treating inflammation and organ injury after ischemia/reperfusion, and for treating lung injury, and methods of preparing a pharmaceutical composition for preventing and treating inflammation and organ injury after ischemia/reperfusion, and for treating lung injury, comprising formulating MFG-E8 in a pharmaceutical composition.