As shown in Fig. 3a, the 24-h treatment with CFS, particularly those from 10A, 11A and CB56 strains, induced the pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF-α, increasing its basal expression level (from 25- to 35-fold) as compared to untreated cells (C). The gene discussed is TNF; the disease is myalgic encephalomeyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome.