Oral administration of Bifidobacterium breve M-16V to the experimental NEC rats significantly decreased the expression of TLR-4, enhanced the expression of TLR-2, and suppressed pro-inflammatory cytokines, including IL-1 beta, IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor alpha that resulted from NEC induction [89]. The gene discussed is TLR4; the disease is necrotizing enterocolitis.