Further, it was shown in humans with a leaky intestinal barrier (such as seen in IBD patients) that TiO2 microparticles were taken up by IEC and could activate the inflammasome and induce IL-1β and IL-18 secretion in the mucosa of Crohn's disease patients, representing a possible mode of aggravation of inflammation in susceptible individuals [70]. The gene discussed is IL18; the disease is inflammatory bowel disease.