Using experimental animal models with an endothelial cell specific knockout of the interferon-γ-receptor 2 (IFNγR2) it was shown that the IBD-associated cytokine IFN-γ induces a breakdown of the vascular barrier based on the disruption of the adherens junction protein VE-cadherin and this was significantly increasing DSS-induced experimental colitis. This evidence concerns the gene IFNG and inflammatory bowel disease.