Furthermore, the observation that functional IL-4Rα in recipient mice is required for the anti-colitic effect of HD-DCs is consistent with data showing mice lacking signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT)-6, the major intracellular signaling pathway from the IL-4 receptor, are not protected from DNBS-induced colitis by infection with H. diminuta7. This evidence concerns the gene STAT6 and infection.