While IFN-γ mRNA levels in the lungs of MTb-infected NFATp−/− mice were decreased relative to WT mice up to 6 weeks post-TB infection, expression of TNF mRNA in the lungs in NFATp−/− mice was transiently elevated during the acute phase of TB infection, reaching a peak 4 weeks post-infection and decreasing 6 weeks post-infection, while in WT mice the peak occurred approximately 8 weeks post-infection. This evidence concerns the gene TNF and infection.