Subsequently, as compared with HuR-sufficient, RAG-deficient littermate controls, RAG HuR CKO mice started losing weight at earlier time points, i.e., day 10 p.i., and they progressively lost weight until they succumbed to their infection, with median day 18 survival compared with day 22 for HuR-sufficient, RAG-deficient littermate controls (Fig. 2 D). The gene discussed is ELAVL1; the disease is infection.