While comparable levels of TNFɑ were secreted by both groups in absence of stimulus, an infection-induced increase in the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL12p70), regulatory cytokines (IL-10, PD-L1), chemokines (CCL4, CCL11, CXCL11), and growth factors (GM-CSF) was only detected in the lean group after E. coli stimulation (Figure 2B). This evidence concerns the gene IL6 and infection.