With this study we want to understand the function and regulation of optineurin in intestinal homeostasis and inflammation in vivo. Although optineurin was identified as a negative regulator of NF-B-dependent inflammation and was suggested as a key component of pathogen-induced autophagy, the physiological role of optineurin has not been defined. Our approach will be the development and phenotypical characterization of cell-specific optineurin deficient mice, and their study in established mouse models for IBD pathology.