CLDN2 and colitis: Autophagy has a crucial role in (1) regulating intestinal barrier function via inducing lysosomal degradation of the tight junction protein claudin 2 (CLDN2), thus decreasing intestinal permeability [23]; (2) modulating cytokine-induced programmed cell death in the intestinal epithelium, thus limiting intestinal inflammation [24]; (3) maintaining gut microbiota composition [25]; and (4) inhibition of inflammasome activation and subsequently controlling intestinal inflammation as shown by the protective effect on DSS-induced colitis in mice by inducing autophagy [26].