Arguably, ST2 could impact on the host response to postinfluenza pneumococcal pneumonia in two ways: ST2 could be involved in the reduced responsiveness of immune cells to TLR ligands upon exposure to influenza [23] making the host more vulnerable to a secondary hit and/or ST2 could oppose the exacerbated lung inflammation during pneumococcal pneumonia following influenza [25] thus preventing damage and promoting lung integrity. The gene discussed is IL1RL1; the disease is influenza.