ITGAX and infection: During P. berghei infection, we noted that ECM-resistance in BXH2 and [BXH2×B6]F1 compared to B6 controls was associated with reduced numbers of splenic myeloid DCs (Fig. 6D; Ly6C−CD11b+CD11c+MHCII+), which was concomitant to reduced but not absent serum levels of IL12p40 (Figure 6E) and reduced production of IL12p40 by spleen cells ex vivo 6 days post-infection (Figure 6F).