When THP-1 cells were infected with Ms_PE_PGRS41 combined with a stimulatory dose of LPS, TNF-α (Fig. 7A), IL-6 (Fig. 7B) and IL-1β (Fig. 7C) expression were significantly increased compared to the response to LPS or Ms_PE_PGRS41 infection alone. The gene discussed is TNF; the disease is infection.