Treatment with UroA/UAS03 significantly protected from DSS-induced colitis as evident from decreased gut permeability (Fig. 6b), reduced shortening of colons (Fig. 6c, d), increased colon weight/length ratio (Fig. 6e), reduced inflammation (serum IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α as well as colonic tissue MPO levels) (Fig. 6f, g). The gene discussed is IL6; the disease is colitis.