In the absence of epithelial NAIP/NLRC4, infected mice develop progressively aggravating mucosal histopathology, abnormally high tissue TNF levels produced by bone marrow (BM)-derived cell type(s), defective epithelial regeneration, and eventually a collapse of the epithelial barrier by 72 h post-infection (p.i.). The gene discussed is NAIP; the disease is infection.