Although ATG16L1 plays an essential role in autophagy, and is part of a larger protein complex ATG16L1-ATG5-ATG12 that is necessary for autophagy, ATG16L1 is also involved in the production of inflammatory cytokines IL-1β and IL-18 and exerts anti-inflammatory functions during intestinal inflammation (Cadwell et al., 2008; Diamanti et al., 2017; Saitoh et al., 2008; Sorbara et al., 2013). This evidence concerns the gene ATG12 and gastroenteritis.