These authors used TNF-α -stimulated HCT-116 and HT-29 human colonic epithelial cells in vitro and DSS-induced C57BL/6 mice model of colitis in vivo and found that after the treatment, there was a decreased cell proliferation, TNF-α mRNA, IL-8 mRNA, IL-6 mRNA, IκBα phosphorylation, and NF-kB-DNA binding in vitro, as well as decreased TNF-α mRNA, IL-8 mRNA, IL-6 mRNA, and IκBα phosphorylation in vivo. Here, TNF is linked to colitis.