TNF and listeriosis: During Listeria monocytogenes infection, high levels of type I IFN antagonize IFN-γ signaling by downregulating interferon γ receptors (IFNGR) on antigen-presenting cells (APCs) (Rayamajhi et al., 2010), increase lymphocyte apoptosis (O'Connell et al., 2004), enhance macrophage cell death (Stockinger et al., 2002), reduce protective interleukin 12 (IL-12) and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) production (Auerbuch et al., 2004), and inhibit neutrophil migration (Brzoza-Lewis et al., 2012), thereby contributing to bacterial growth.