The interaction of nonpathogenic enteric bacteria with intestinal epithelial cells (IEC) in the absence of host-derived Interleukin 10 (IL-10) may contribute to the development of chronic inflammation. Functional proteome analysis of primary IEC from Enterococcus faecalis-monoassociated WT and IL-10-/- mice as well as IL-10 receptor reconstituted IEC revealed expression changes of proteins that are involved in endoplasmic reticulum stress, energy metabolism, and apoptosis, suggesting a protective role for IL-10 at the epithelial cell level.