Trefoil factors: initiators of mucosal healing.
Maintaining the integrity of the gastrointestinal tract, despite the continual presence of microbial flora and injurious agents, is essential. Epithelial continuity depends on a family of small, yet abundant, secreted proteins--the trefoil factors (TFFs). TFFs protect mucous epithelia from a range of insults and contribute to mucosal repair, although the signalling events that mediate these responses are only partially understood.
D000818:Animals; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000502:physiology; D006133:Growth Substances / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000378:metabolism; D009077:Mucins; D009092:Mucous Membrane / Q000378:metabolism*; D009124:Muscle Proteins; D009479:Neuropeptides; D010455:Peptides / Q000378:metabolism*; D000071164:Trefoil Factor-2; D000071165:Trefoil Factor-3; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology*
D006133:Growth Substances; D018836:Inflammation Mediators; D009077:Mucins; D009124:Muscle Proteins; D009479:Neuropeptides; D010455:Peptides; C099037:TFF3 protein, rat; D000071164:Trefoil Factor-2; D000071165:Trefoil Factor-3