In accordance, VDR KO mice have shown to be more susceptible to LPS-induced endotoxemia, have higher expressions of inflammatory cytokines (e.g., TNF-α, IL-1a, IL-1β, IL-10, IL-21, and IFN-γ), and experience more weight loss, bleeding, ulceration, septic shock, and death compared to wild-type mice (80). This evidence concerns the gene TNF and serum lipopolysaccharide activity.