However, we should point out that in the present study, although TLR8 signaling was weaker in NPMs than in RMs or humans, it does not define a clear link between weak TLR8 signaling in NPMs and a lack of pathogenesis following HIV-1 or stHIVsv infection in this species and that further experiments directly evaluating this hypothesis would be required to make this connection. This evidence concerns the gene TLR8 and infection.