Indeed, in addition to previously reported CTE-like defects in small and large intestines, we show that mice lacking EPCAM present with hair follicle hypoplasia leading to near complete alopecia, moderate-to-severe hyperkeratinization in skin and forestomach, glomerular hypoplasia and kidney malfunction indicated by severe proteinuria, as well as abnormal production and/or secretion of pancreatic digestive enzymes, suggesting that the critical role of EPCAM goes well beyond development of intestinal tissues. Here, EPCAM is linked to alopecia.