In face of the published data from our laboratory, and of others, that Villin-claudin-2 transgenic (TG) mice are protected from DSS-colitis while claudin-2 KO mice develop severe colitis and epithelial injury17–19, we wondered if claudin-2 expression renders protection to IECs against colitis-induced cell death. The gene discussed is CLDN2; the disease is colitis.