The increased production of interferon γ, TNF-α, and IL-6 during disseminated infections, such as systemic E. coli infection, and after treatment with LPS shifts GMPs (Lineage(LIN)−CD117+Sca-1−CD16/32+CD34+) to a cell population in which Sca-1 expression is maintained (LIN−CD117+Sca-1+CD16/32+CD34+) through inversion of the Sca-1− phenotype and enhanced mitosis of Sca-1+ cells2, 5, 18, 42, 43. The gene discussed is IL6; the disease is escherichia coli infection.