TNF-α and IL-6 also play significant roles in ulcerative colitis pathogenesis, because an increase in TNF-α expression may contribute to defective mucosal barrier function in ulcerative colitis patients and exacerbate inflammation, while an increase in IL-6 plays a significant role in the trans-signaling process and chronic inflammation of ulcerative colitis [31]. The gene discussed is TNF; the disease is inflammation.