Of note, the infection caused significant upregulation in mRNA expression level of interferon-stimulated genes (Isg15, Mx1, Mx2, Irf3, and Irf7) and pro-inflammatory cytokines (Tnf-α, Cxcl-1, and Il-6 genes) (Figures 3C–G, J–L). Here, TNF is linked to infection.