Minor disruption of the GI surface layer of the cells occurs frequently, such that maintaining epithelial integrity is of crucial importance. Normal epithelial repair requires restitution and regeneration. During restitution, within minutes after injury, epithelial cells spread and migrate across the basement membrane to re-establish surface cell continuity.
Trefoil factor family (TFF) proteins play an important role in restitution by influencing the migration of cells without promotion of proliferation or tumorigenesis. Regeneration occurs later on and involves proliferation and differentiation of epithelial cells and restoration of specialized elements. Three mouse TFFs have been identified to date: TFF1 (formerly pS2) and TFF3 (formerly hITF), with one trefoil domain each, and TFF2 (formerly hSP), with two trefoil domains.
Tff3: human: 101; rat: 81; mouse: 81aa - 8.8kD; Human chromosome: 17A3.3. TFF3 is expressed in intestinal goblet cells, gland acini, distal ducts of Brunner