TNF and colitis: However, although enhanced expression of thepro-inflammatory gene IL-6 was similar on day 4 of 4% DSS-induced colitis measured by real-time quantitative PCR in full-thickness samples taken from the colons of WT and IEC AMPK KO mice, there was a significant increase in proinflammatory cytokines TNFα and IL-1β gene expression levels in DSS-treated IEC AMPK KO mice, indicating higher colonic inflammation in the absence of IEC AMPK in response to acute experimental ulcerative colitis (Figure 1E).