IEX-1 deficiency protects from DSS-induced colitis and AOM/DSS-induced tumor formation. A. IEX-1 KO mice are relatively refractory to DSS-induced colitis. IEX-1 KO and WT control mice were administered 3.5% DSS in drinking water for 9 days, followed by 5 days of regular drinking water. Body weights are expressed as mean percentages ± standard deviation (SD) of the initial weights. *, p<0.05; **, p<0.01; and n = 6. B. Real-time RT-PCR analysis of inflammatory cytokines or chemokines in indicated mice treated with DSS for 36 hr. *, ** p< 0.05 or 0.01, respectively, compared in the presence or absence of IEX-1, n= 8 in each group. C. Representative macroscopic images of colons showing tumors (marked by *). D. Summary of tumor growth in the presence or absence of IEX-1. **, p<0.01 and n = 9 for WT or 11 for KO mice. E. Representative microscopic images of H&E stained sections of colon tumor from WT (a, b) and IEX-1 KO (c, d) animals (5X for a and c or 20X magnification for b and d). The tumor (dashed line in a) and leukocyte infiltration (dotted line in b) are encircled.