Maternal systemic immune response against infections leads to the production of cytokines and inflammatory mediators, such as interleukin (IL)-6, IL-17a, IL-1β, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and interferon (IFN)-γ, which may cross the placental barrier depending on the gestational age by diffusion through paracellular trans-trophoblastic water-filled channels (Kwon et al., 2022; Woods et al., 2023). The gene discussed is TNF; the disease is infection.