We addressed this hypothesis by comparing the ability of LPS (as a surrogate for microbial products) and R848, a TLR7/8 agonist that stimulates mDCs through TLR8, similar to SIV/HIV [75], [76] (as a surrogate for the virus), to induce immune activation and apoptosis in mDCs isolated from PTM blood prior to SIVagmSab infection. The gene discussed is TLR8; the disease is infection.