TNF and infection: By pretreatment of hGECs with antagonist or inhibitors, the levels of TNF-α and IL-6 decreased in the coaggregation group after 24 h and 48 h of infection (** p < 0.01, *** p < 0.001) (Figures 11A, B, D, E), but no significant difference was detected in the secretion of TGF-β1 (Figures 11C, F).