Cell-specific knockdown of Tln1 in intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) in mice resulted in increased C. rodentium colonization with increased depth of infection in the colonic epithelial glands, associated with decreased actin condensation, enhanced neutrophil infiltration, and impaired T cell response, together resulting in increased clinical and histologic evidence of colitis. The gene discussed is TLN1; the disease is colitis.