HK2 has not yet been described as IBD risk gene, most probably due to its site-restricted expression, but here we were able to show an association of HK2 and epithelial status during intestinal inflammation, in particular cellular composition driven by infiltration of HK2-negative immune cells and erosion of terminal differentiated epithelial cells in the apical epithelium. The gene discussed is HK2; the disease is inflammatory bowel disease.