In our model, it was observed that IL-6 secretion is evident in serum and is sustained throughout the chronic phase; however, it is interesting to note that MCP-1 levels do not exhibit an increase, thus indicating a halt in the acute phase that does not confer antimicrobial advantages, paralleling sterile chronic inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis (30). This evidence concerns the gene CCL2 and rheumatoid arthritis.