Consistent with the aforementioned results, C. albicans inoculation worsened inflammation in mice with DSS colitis as indicated by higher serum amounts of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 (proinflammatory cytokines) and lower levels of IL-10 (anti-inflammatory cytokine), compared with the DSS alone group (Fig. 2D–G). Here, TNF is linked to colitis.