We have examined the role of NF-kappaB regulated genes in airway epithelium in mediating tobacco smoke induced airway inflammation in studies of CC10-Cre(tg)/Ikk beta(Delta/Delta) mice in which NF-kappaB signaling through I kappaB-kinase-beta (IKK-beta) is selectively ablated in epithelial cells in the airway. CC10-Cre(tg)/Ikk beta(Delta/Delta) mice exposed to tobacco smoke for seven days had a significant decrease in the number of BAL cells (total cells, neutrophils, and macrophages) as well as significantly reduced numbers of peribronchial cells (F4/80+ and myeloperoxidase+) compared to tobacco exposed WT mice. In addition to the reduction in peribronchial cells, CC10-Cre(tg)/Ikk beta(Delta/Delta) mice exposed to tobacco smoke had a significant decrease in the number of macrophages and neutrophils in the alveolar space suggesting that inactivation of NF-kappaB in the airway epithelium influenced the number of neutrophils and macrophages recruited to the alveolus. Levels of the NF-kappaB regulated chemokines KC and MCP-1 were significantly reduced in lungs of tobacco smoke exposed CC10-Cre(tg)/Ikk beta(Delta/Delta) mice compared to tobacco exposed WT mice. In contrast, there was no significant difference in levels of NF-kappaB regulated MIP-1 alpha between CC10-Cre(tg)/Ikk beta(Delta/Delta) and WT mice. Lung sections of tobacco smoke exposed CC10-Cre(tg)/Ikk beta(Delta/Delta) mice immunostained with KC or MCP-1 antibodies demonstrated reduced expression of these chemokines in the airway epithelium, but not in alveolar epithelium. Overall, these studies demonstrate an important role for NF-kappaB regulated genes in airway epithelium in contributing to acute tobacco smoke induced airway inflammation not only in the peribronchial space but also in the alveolar space.