Indeed, among the 6 barrier-related genes tested, only heat treated CEC15 at multiplicity of infection (MOI) of 100:1 induced the expression of Muc2, while only heat treated EcN at MOI of 100:1 lowered the expression of Ocln. In addition, Ptsg2 expression, which in the colonic environment is highly associated with the promotion of colorectal carcinoma, was only induced by EcN (Fig. 6). The gene discussed is MUC2; the disease is infection.