In Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), the major inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) in human beings, the tissue-damaging inflammatory response is characterized by elevated levels of Suppressor of Mothers Against Decapentaplegic (Smad)7, an inhibitor of the immunosuppressive cytokine Transforming Growth Factor (TGF)-β1. The gene discussed is SMAD7; the disease is ulcerative colitis.