In a data-driven mathematical modeling approach (27), we have addressed the hierarchical contribution of different pro-inflammatory cytokines on bacterial outgrowth in a mouse model of secondary pneumococcal infection following influenza infection and have identified IFN-γ and interleukin-6 (IL-6) dynamics as strong and time-dependent factors for bacterial invasion (27). The gene discussed is IFNG; the disease is pneumococcal infection.