TGFB1 and ulcerative colitis: VSL#3 has also been shown to promote and maintain remission and alter the microbiota of individuals with other gastrointestinal pathologies including ulcerative colitis and pouchitis [17, 18] and stimulate the expression of the “house-keeping” molecules transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGFβ-1) and claudin-2 in Caco-2 cells which are involved in mucosal protection [19].