In these studies, E. coli infection increased the concentrations of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-8) and decreased the concentrations of anti-inflammatory cytokine (IL-4), indicating that E. coli could induce inflammation in mice through regulation of cytokines. The gene discussed is TNF; the disease is escherichia coli infection.