To elucidate potential mechanisms involved in VSL#3- and TNF-mediated improvement in epithelial barrier function and subsequent prevention of chronic intestinal inflammation in SAMP mice [19], we first studied TJ protein mRNA expression in full-thickness ilea from pre-inflamed SAMP following ex vivo organ culture with either VSL#3-CM or TNF (Fig. 3). Here, TNF is linked to inflammatory response.