We have previously shown human MDMs and alveolar macrophages have similar transcriptional responses to stimulation with lipopolysaccharide [37], and our data and Subramanian et al. [22] confirm that the effects of Ply seen in vitro are also relevant during infection with increased BALF TNF levels after infection with TIGR4Δply compared to TIGR4 despite having lower BALF CFU levels. The gene discussed is TNF; the disease is infection.