LPMCs isolated from OPN/IL-10 DKO mice expressed higher levels of TNF-α and IL-12p40 than those from IL-10 KO mice at 4 weeks of age, suggesting that intestinal macrophages are highly activated in OPN/IL-10 DKO mice at an early stage of colitis compared to IL-10 KO mice. This evidence concerns the gene IL10 and colitis.