We detected IκBα and p65 phosphorylation levels in NKILA-overexpressing and silenced ESCC cells and found that TNF-α-induced IκBα and p65 phosphorylation was inhibited by ectopic NKILA expression in KYSE30 and KYSE180 cells but was enhanced by NKLIA silencing in both cell lines (Fig. 5a, b). The gene discussed is TNF; the disease is esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.