XBP1 and colitis: When XBP1 was activated by HLJ2, an XBP1 agonist, decreased weight loss, disease activity index (DAI), colon contracture and reduced production of the inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 was observed in mouse model of DSS-induced colitis [11], demonstrating that XBP1 plays a protective role in DSS-induced ulcerative colitis.