Another study also demonstrated that TLR4 knockout protected NEC-induced tissue damage in mice, decreased the elevated expression of caspase-8, phosphorylated necroptotic protein RIPK (receptor-interacting protein kinase) 1 and 3, and their substrate pMLKL (phosphorylated mixed-lineage kinase domain-like protein), but significantly increased survival rate [35]. This evidence concerns the gene TLR4 and necrotizing enterocolitis.