IL18 and colitis: While some studies suggested IL-18 has a protective role, preventing dysbiosis21,47 and promoting epithelial barrier integrity and regeneration,44,48 others have linked IL-18 to increased colitis severity.45,46 Our data further add to the complex role of IL-18 in the intestine during homeostasis and inflammation suggesting that perturbation of the levels of IL-18 levels may predispose to intestinal inflammation upon tissue injury.