At this time, we do not know how Eritoran blocks release of HMGB1 into serum after virus infection; however, we hypothesize that epithelial necroptosis caused by influenza virus infection (49) leads to release of HMGB1 that, in turn, engages TLR4 and can be blocked by both Eritoran and P5779. This evidence concerns the gene HMGB1 and viral infectious disease.