Notably, STING-KO-infected mice had significantly lower IFN-β and IL-6 gene expression in the spleen at day 4 after infection when compared with C57BL6-infected mice (Figures 5A, B), indicating that STING-dependent signaling may play a role in early induction of key cytokines against T. cruzi. The gene discussed is IFNB1; the disease is infection.