TLR4 and Sepsis: Despite the critical importance of TLR signaling pathways in the pathogenesis of sepsis (Tsujimoto et al, 2008; Wittebole et al, 2010), recent clinical trials with eritoran (a synthetic inhibitor of MD2-TLR4) and TAK-242 (a small molecule inhibitor of TLR4 signaling) failed to improve the survival of patients with severe sepsis (Rice et al, 2010; Opal et al, 2013).