We found that over-expression of intact NOD2, either transiently by the administration of an expression vector encapsulated in a viral envelope or constitutively via over-expression of an intact NOD2 by a transgene, leads to very substantial protection from the induction of TNBS-colitis, whereas expression of BS-NOD2 under the same circumstances had a greatly reduced capacity to prevent the development of TNBS-colitis. Here, NOD2 is linked to colitis.