The GPNMB functions to reduce inflammation by increasing anti-inflammatory cytokines like IL10 and decreasing proinflammatory cytokines like TNFα, IL-6, and IL-12 (Saade et al., 2021), which aid in response to lesions in the tissue or infection (Saade et al., 2021), and can be triggered by pathogens that are present in their environment. Here, IL6 is linked to infection.