NLRP3 and colitis: Mice lacking Nlrp3, Asc and caspase-1 gene expression are more vulnerable to experimental colitis induced by 2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS) and dextran sodium sulfate (DSS), both characterized by diarrhea, body weight loss, rectal bleeding and mortality, proposing the favorable action of NLRP3 complex in the colon tissue.