When Listeria-infected mice are treated with β-estradiol, there is a reduction of monocytes and leukocytes at the infection site, and cells obtained from peritoneal exudates have an increased expression of IL-4, IL-10, and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), while IFN-γ, IL-12, and TNF-α expression is decreased, which in turn is related to a suppression of bactericidal activity and to a shift of Th1 to Th2-response [242]. This evidence concerns the gene TNF and infection.