In order to in-depth explore the mechanisms associated with mucin depletion in the colon of this murine model of colitis, we next analyzed expression of interleukin-18 (IL-18) and WAP Four-Disulfide Core Domain 2 (WFCD-2) genes which was significantly lower for KO at 20 and 57 weeks old, without statistical differences at early ages (Figures 5A,B). This evidence concerns the gene MUC5AC and colitis.