As shown in Fig. 7e–g, E. coli infection markedly increased the mRNA levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-6, monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), but such increases were prevented by Mag II-CB and CB peptide treatment, with the Mag II-CB peptide being better at prevention than the single CB antimicrobial peptide. This evidence concerns the gene TNF and escherichia coli infection.