TNF and infection: Infection with Chlamydia in the genital tract (GT) induces the production of several pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α, IL-1, and IL-6, chemokines such as IL-8, and inflammatory cytokines including IL-12, IFN-γ, and IL-17 (Su et al., 1999; Brunham and Rey-Ladino, 2005; Murthy et al., 2011).