A newly emerged H7N9 influenza virus isolated from poultry and humans in China. Its nonpathogenic nature in poultry enables avian H7N9 virus replicate silently in avian species, transmit to humans and become more virulent and transmissible in the human population. Eritoran, a potent, well tolerated, synthetic TLR4 antagonist blocks influenza-induced lethality in mice, as well as lung pathology, clinical symptoms and decreases viral titers. It prevents mortality when administrered up to 6 days after infection of mice. Isolation of two giant amoeba viruses without morphological or genomic resemblance to any previously defined virus families. Different roles of type 1 interferons in acute and chronic viral infections. Microbial colonization influences early B-cell development in the gut. BACH2, the key regulator stabilizes Treg-mediated immune homeostasis. Sodium chloride drives autoimmune disease by the induction of pathogenic TH17 cells.