Experimental studies have shown that in vitro inflammatory responses of both murine astrocytes and microglia are significantly reduced in the absence of NOD2 after stimulation with N. meningitidis. Astrogliosis, demyelination, behavioral changes, and increased inflammatory cytokine levels within the CNS in meningococcal infection are all reduced in NOD2 knockout mice [14]. Here, NOD2 is linked to meningococcal infection.