They showed that Casp1−/− and Asc−/− mice were more susceptible to dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis (an acute model of epithelial injury) than wild-type (wt) mice and that exogenous administration of Il-18 rescued this phenotype, proving a fundamental role of Il-18 for tissue repair after injury (27). This evidence concerns the gene PYCARD and colitis.