The median unstimulated levels of VEGF, IFN-γ, sCD40L, TGF-α, IFN-α2 and MMP-9, and antigen-specific levels of IL-1ra, IFN-γ, TGF-α and MMP-9 were significantly higher in the TB patients whereas the unstimulated levels of MIP-1β and IL-1α were significantly higher in individuals with ORD (Table 2). This evidence concerns the gene MMP9 and tuberculosis.