TNF and infection: This is consistent with the results observed five days post-infection; we found that the WT strain and complemented strain induced a more intense inflammatory response (increased production of TNF-α, IL1β, and IL-6) and greater immune tolerance (increased secretion of IL-10) in tongues than in the Cas5 knockout strain, with severe tissue damage, while the C. albicans lacking Cas5 only had mild inflammation and tissue damage (Figure 6D).