It is of interest that there were no statistically significant differences in expression of TLR-2 [median (range) fold increase (relative to mean, corrected to 1·0, of normal control cells): inflamed distal: 1·14 (0·89–8·93) versus 1·4 (0·23–8·65)] and TLR-4 [2·56 (0·4–3·54) and 1·9 (1·16–5·76)] mRNA between crypt cells isolated from inflamed (distal colon) and histologically normal proximal colon of the five patients with left-sided ulcerative colitis. The gene discussed is TLR4; the disease is ulcerative colitis.