For the in vivo studies, mutant strain BCGΔRS01790 strain caused a higher level of M1-related Th1 cytokines (IFN-γ, IL-1β, and TNF-α) secretion around 8 and 16 dpi, respectively, which may support that Rv0309 protein may inhibit macrophage M1 polarization, and conducive to the intracellular survival of mycobacteria at the early stage of infection. The gene discussed is TNF; the disease is infection.