The observed differential expression of genes associated with different signaling transduction pathways (such as TLR, TNFR, NF-κB, or the Jak-STAT pathway), and with other mechanisms of the earliest line of defense against pathogens (e.g., antimicrobial enzymes) in R. conorii-infected cells, suggests that this pathogen may be able to modulate innate immune system components at various levels, anticipating the use of complex modulatory mechanisms very early in infection to evade and subvert host responses. Here, SOAT1 is linked to infection.