CXCL8 and infection: All genes encode proteins that play established roles in immune response and cell proliferation during infection including genes encoding cytokines (IL-1A, CXCL8, CXCL6, TNF, and BCL2A1) and anti-microbial defense (C3) SAA3 (an acute-phase protein), as well as those involved in the metabolism pathway (SLC5A5).