Previous studies had shown that the mRNA and protein expression levels of AQP4 and AQP8 decreased in human colitis specimens and DSS induced mouse colitis specimens compared to normal controls, and changes in AQP mRNA and protein expression could be measured after 1 day of DSS induction, with almost no significant intestinal epithelial damage observed at this time point 30, 31. The gene discussed is AQP4; the disease is colitis.