Interestingly, the outward appearance, lifespan and histological phenotype of Vil-Cre+/0;Spint2fl/−;EpcamQ/Q;St14fl/fl mice closely resembled those of Vil-Cre+/0;Spint2fl/−;Epcam+/+;St14fl/fl mice (Fig. 6E,F, compare with Fig. S5A-C), further indicating that EpCAM cleavage does not play a crucial role in intestinal dysfunction caused by HAI-2-deficiency. This evidence concerns the gene VIL1 and nosocomial infection.