The invention relates to an interleukin-27 (IL-27) modulator for the treatment of a pathological immune response associated with acute lung disease. The invention therefore relates to IL-27 agonists, preferably IL-27 protein, for the treatment of immunopathology and/or uncontrolled inflammatory lung disease, as well as IL-27 antagonists for the treatment of immune response depression. The IL-27 agonist is preferably administered at a defined, preferably delayed, stage of infection or inflammation.
