Moreover, over-expression of Zbtb7b activated the maturation of CD4+T cells and repressed the differentiation of DP CD4+CD8+ T cells, which contributed to the production of inflammatory cytokines, such as TNF-α, IL-17, and IFN-γ, in the DSS-induced colitis model (Fig. 8). The gene discussed is CD8A; the disease is colitis.