IL6 and infection: Starting at day 1 post infection, control animals also had higher levels of several cytokines, including IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-12p70, and IFN-γ in plasma, additionally IL-17 and TNF-α and chemokines (KC, MCP-1, MIP-1α) were elevated in lungs (Figures 6 and 7).