Table 1

Sites of expression of trefoil factors in the gastrointestinal tract in normal and pathological conditions

SiteTFF1TFF2TFF3
Normal physiological conditions
Salivary glandsWeak expressionTrace amountAbundant mRNA expression (Devine et al, unpublished data)
OesophagusAbsentAbsentUnknown
StomachAll regions; mucous cells from neck upwardFundus, mucous neck cells; antrum, mucous cells in base of glands (surface cells mRNA only)Absent
Small intestineDuctal luminal cells of Brunner’s glandsBrunner’s gland acini and distal duct and secreted mucusBrunner’s gland acini and ducts; goblet cells
Large intestineGoblet cells near the surface of cryptsAbsentGoblet cells
Gall bladderPatchy epithelial expressionPatchy epithelial expressionPatchy epithelial expression
Pathological conditions
OesophagusBarrett’s oesophagusBarrett’s oesophagusPatchy mRNA expression in an rat model; not known in humans
StomachIntestinal metaplasiaMucous neck cell hyperplasiaGlands adjacent to ulceration
Incomplete, goblet and columnar cellsPseudopyloric metaplasia/spasmolytic peptide expressing cell lineage (SPEM)Intestinal metaplasia
Complete, goblet cells only
Hyperplastic polyps
Carcinoma: diffuse>intestinal
Small intestineGastric metaplasiaGastric metaplasiaGastric metaplasia
UACL upper duct and surface cells, adjacent normal cell lineagesUACL acinar cells and lower duct, adjacent cells as TFF1UACL acinar cells and lower duct
Endocrine, goblet and ulcer baseUlcer base
Large intestineUACL but rarely seenUACL but rarely seenUACL but rarely seen
Hyperplastic polypsHyperplastic polyps (mRNA only)Hyperplastic polyps (mRNA only)
AdenomaAdenomaAdenoma
AdenocarcinomaAdenocarcinomaAdenocarcinoma (particularly the mucinous type)
Gall bladderCarcinoma of the biliary tractsUnknownUnknown