The current study was undertaken to further evaluate the innate immune response to M. tuberculosis, specifically the expression of VDR on macrophages and the production of IL-1β by macrophages in in vitro experimental conditions that simulate in vivo infection with M. tuberculosis. Differential expression of VDR and IL-1β could provide new insights into TB pathogenesis and help identify those persons at increased risk of progression from latent M. tuberculosis infection to active TB disease. Here, VDR is linked to infection.