The down-regulation of miR-148a increases the levels of GP130, inhibitor of nuclear factor kappa-B kinase α (IKKα), IKKβ, interleukin 1 receptor type 1 (IL1R1), and TNF receptor superfamily member 1b (TNFR2), resulting in the decreased activation of NF-κB and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) in macrophages and colon tissues, and promotion of colitis (221). Here, STAT3 is linked to colitis.