Given the conclusions from the aforementioned studies, and the data from our previous report indicating that the deletion of Nlrp3 was associated with reduced colonic IL-10 and more severe colitis, in the current study we sought to test the hypothesis that the NLRP3 inflammasome contributes to the maintenance of intestinal homeostasis through its ability to regulate Treg cell function. The gene discussed is NLRP3; the disease is colitis.