A significant up-regulation of genes encoding the following cytokines and their receptors—Il13, Il16, Il27, Il2rb, Il2rg, Il6r Il10ra, Faslg, Ltb, Osm, Spp1, Tnf, Tnfsf14—was noted in animals with colitis (CβG−). The gene discussed is SPP1; the disease is colitis.