Mechanistically, PGRN protection was mediated by IL-22 production from CD4+ T helper cells, as demonstrated by a decrease in colonic IL-22-producing CD4+ T helper cells in the intestine of PGRN-deficient mice upon CDI and a boost of IL-22-producing CD4+ T helper cells activated by PGRN ex vivo. This evidence concerns the gene IL22 and clostridium difficile infection.