We have characterized a novel 18 kD protein isolated from the stomach, Antrum Mucosal Protein (AMP)-18, also known as gastrokine-1, whose pleiotropic properties suggest it could be developed into a new therapeutic agent to protect and heal the injured GI mucosa in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) [1–4]. The gene discussed is GKN1; the disease is inflammatory bowel disease.