Although this cytokine is not present in mice, the generation of a transgenic mouse that expresses the human form of IL-37, and the use of recombinant human IL-37 protein, have demonstrated its protective properties from a myriad of pathological challenges, such as colitis 34, metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes 18, lung inflammation 19, cancer 35, arthritis 36, calcific valve disease 37 and spinal cord injury 21. The gene discussed is IL37; the disease is colitis.