S. bovis/gallolyticus bacteria, especially their cell wall antigens, were found to remarkably increase the production of inflammatory cytokines in the colonic mucosa of rats, specifically the inflammation-mediated pathway involving interleukin-1 (IL-1), cyclooxygenase-2, and IL-8,3) suggesting direct interaction between S. bovis and colonic mucosal cells, which is thought to lead to the development of colorectal cancer. The gene discussed is PTGS2; the disease is colorectal cancer.