Mice with pre-existing dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis that were also exposed to MC-LR experienced significant and prolonged body weight loss, the prolonged presence of blood within their stool, increased spleen weight as a gross indicator of inflammation, significantly greater colonic shortening and ulceration, and significantly elevated gene expression of the inflammatory markers Tnf and Il1b as compared with mice with colitis alone [9]. The gene discussed is TNF; the disease is colitis.