However, the phenotype of mDC within lymph nodes was significantly different as a function of disease, as animals with stable but not progressive infection had a lower percentage of mDC expressing CCR7, CD40 and CD86 and reduced mDC expression of MHC class II at 12 weeks relative to preinfection time points, reflecting reduced mDC activation (Figure 4C, D). This evidence concerns the gene CD40 and infection.