During Streptococcus pneumoniae infection, pneumolysin induces ATF3 expression via the TLR4/JNK/p38 signaling pathway, which subsequently activates ATF3 and c-Jun hetero-dimerization; the resulting complex then binds to the promoters of cytokines, such as IFN-γ, TNF-α, and IL-1β, leading to increased cytokine production (53). This evidence concerns the gene ATF3 and pneumococcal infection.