HCMV infection significantly suppressed PBL activation, as evidenced by a marked decrease in IL-2 production (Mean ± SEM: 820.9 ± 223.9 in AD169-infected cells vs. 2,169 ± 353.5 in uninfected cells, P < 0.001), TNF-α expression (Mean ± SEM: 5.049 ± 0.4346 in AD169-infected cells vs. 8.998 ± 1.379 in uninfected cells, P < 0.01), and a trend toward reduced IFN-γ production (Mean ± SEM: 285.3 ± 31.39 in AD169-infected cells vs. 440.3 ± 83.45 in uninfected cells, P = 0.1570) (Fig. 2B). The gene discussed is TNF; the disease is cytomegalovirus infection.