If IECs (together with immune cells) represent a relevant source of IL-10 in the gut, variants that can downregulate IL10 expression could lead to an imbalance between IL-10’s anti-inflammatory effects and the inflammatory effects of other cytokines such as IFN-γ and IL-21, contributing to the inflammation and barrier disruption observed in IBD. The gene discussed is IL10; the disease is inflammatory bowel disease.