TNF and infection: Results confirmed that the V protein was able to sustain the swift lymphocyte-based invasion of mucosal tissues and lymphatic organs, as well as the inhibition of the induction of interferon (IFN)-α/β in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and that of other important cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), IFN-γ, interleukin 6 (IL-6), and IL-4 that control the activation of cellular and humoral immune processes, whereas the C protein was shown to be dispensable for the invasion of the lymphatic organs and appeared to sustain subsequent infection phases [53].