The human endotoxemia model is widely used to study inflammation in humans in vivo. Systemic inflammation is induced by low-dose infusion of Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in healthy volunteers, resulting in flu-like symptoms, increased production of C-reactive protein and increased concentrations of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines. The "human endotoxemia model" permits elucidation of key players in this proinflammatory response in humans in vivo and it serves as a useful tool to investigate potential novel therapeutic strategies in a standardized setting.