Trefoil factor 2 in gland mucous cell mucin in the mucous gel covering normal or damaged gastric mucosa using the Mongolian gerbil model.
OBJECTIVE
Trefoil factor 2 (TFF2) is localized in gastric gland mucous cells. The purpose of the study was to determine whether TFF2 and gastric mucin are localized in mucous cells and in the surface mucous gel layer (SMGL) of the normal gastric mucosa or in the mucoid cap adherent to gastric mucosal lesions in Mongolian gerbils.


METHODS
Gastric mucosal lesions were induced in Mongolian gerbils using oral administration of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), subcutaneous administration of indomethacin, or oral administration of 30% ethanol. Tissue samples were fixed in Carnoy's solution for preservation of the SMGL, dehydrated, and embedded in paraffin. Histochemical staining for gastric mucins and immunostaining for TFF2 were performed.


RESULTS
It was found that surface mucous cell mucin and gland mucous cell mucin were segregated in the SMGL covering the normal gastric mucosa, and the mucin of the mucoid cap covering the mucosal lesions was primarily gland mucous cell mucin. There was a co-localization of TFF2 in gland mucous cell mucin in gland mucous cells, the SMGL, and the mucoid cap.


CONCLUSIONS
The co-localization of TFF2 in gland mucous cells and in the adherent mucus suggests a physical interaction between TFF2 and gland mucous cell mucin, and the participation of TFF2 trapped in the adherent mucus functions in mucosal defense, healing, and repair.
Suzuki
Kazufumi
K
Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Nagano, Japan.
Hayama
Masayoshi
M
Nakamura
Michitaka
M
Yamauchi
Kazuyoshi
K
Maruta
Fukuto
F
Miyagawa
Shinichi
S
Ota
Hiroyoshi
H
D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D000431:Ethanol / Q000494:pharmacology; D005752:Gastric Mucins / Q000032:analysis*; D005753:Gastric Mucosa / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects; D005849:Gerbillinae; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000378:metabolism; D016480:Helicobacter pylori; D006651:Histocytochemistry; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007213:Indomethacin / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D010455:Peptides / Q000032:analysis*; D000071164:Trefoil Factor-2
D005752:Gastric Mucins; D010455:Peptides; D000071164:Trefoil Factor-2; D000431:Ethanol; D007213:Indomethacin