To this end, cecal and colonic contents were collected from seven mice that either had developed spontaneous colitis (IL10−/− mice; four mice total) or polyps (ApcMin/+Msh2−/−, two mice total) or were ApcMin/+Msh2+/− mice cohoused with ApcMin/+Msh2−/− mice with polyps (one mouse total). The gene discussed is MSH2; the disease is colitis.