No significant differences in IFNγ levels were detected in Casp11−/− colon homogenates at the 6 or 15 week stages of CAC development (Fig. 3h, l), however Casp11−/− colon explants taken 3 weeks into the AOM-DSS protocol secreted significantly less IFNγ than their WT counterparts (Fig. 6c). The gene discussed is SCAF11; the disease is infectious otitis media.