Indeed, at the image of MCC950-treated mice, no mortality was seen in HMPV ΔSH-infected mice whereas slight weight loss as well as reduced IFN-γ, IL-6, total protein levels, leukocyte numbers in BAL and lung histopathological scores were observed, compared to HMPV-infected mice on day 5 post-infection (Fig 7C–7G & S5A Fig). This evidence concerns the gene IL6 and infection.