Consequently, DC-specific deletion of OTUB1 impaired the production of cytokines, in particular IL-12, by DCs over the first 2 days of T. gondii infection, resulting in the diminished production of protective interferon-γ (IFN-γ) by natural killer cells, impaired control of parasite replication, and, finally, death from chronic T.encephalitis, all of which could be prevented by low-dose IL-12 treatment in the first 3 days of infection. Here, IFNG is linked to infection.