Elinav et al. demonstrated that NLRP6 deficiency in mouse colonic epithelial cells resulted in reduced IL-18 levels and altered fecal microbiota characterized by expanded representation of the bacterial phyla Bacteroidetes (Prevotellaceae) and TM7, which in turn induces IBD pathogenesis (Elinav et al., 2011). This evidence concerns the gene NLRP6 and irritable bowel syndrome.