Stromal cell-derived factor-1α attenuates oleate-induced acute lung injury in rabbits.

•SDF-1α could protect oleic acid-induced lung injury in rabbits.•SDF-1α treatment could activate CXCR4, for protecting acute lung injury.•The mechanism might be associated with upregulating anti-apoptosis proteins.•SDF-1α/CXCR4 might be a promising target for treatment of acute lung injury.