Cultures of NEC stimulated with LPS only showed a significantly increased TLR-4 expression compared to CO cultures with LPS when additionally stimulated with neutrophils (NEC + LPS + neutrophils mean 6.19+/-3.67%; CO + LPS + neutrophils mean 4.01+/-2.38%, p=0.0417). The gene discussed is TLR4; the disease is necrotizing enterocolitis.