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). Here, IL6 is linked to infection.