NFKB1 and infection: Given that MmsA is suggested to induce the maturation of DC and Th1 polarization via mitogen-activated protein kinase and NF-κB activation (30) and might represent the dormant state of mycobacteria, because it is induced remarkably in the dormancy model of M. tuberculosis infection (66, 67), we believe that the alteration of MmsA R138W in Beijing-like strains would inhibit Th1 response, favoring the persistence of the bacterium during infection.