Intestinal Expression of TFF and Related Genes During Postnatal Development in a Piglet Probiotic Trial

Abstract

Trefoil factor family (TFF) peptides provide protective and reparative effects by enhancing epithelial integrity and promoting mucosal restitution. TFF peptide expression is induced after mucosal damage. These processes are of central physiological relevance during the postnatal intestinal development and are strongly influenced during the weaning period. In piglets, weaning at early maturation stages frequently causes mucosal inflammation. The aim of this study was to evaluate postnatal intestinal TFF expression in a piglet probiotic trial. Low intestinal TFF2 expression was measured at early maturation stages. Weaning, however, was associated with a distinct response of increased TFF2 expression, indicating an important role in enhancing mucosal integrity. In the distal jejunum and ileum weaning could as well be associated with increased TFF3 mRNA levels. Differential TFF1 expression was not detected. Furthermore, TFF2 localization studies in different intestinal loci were performed by means of immunohistochemistry. Expression of selected genes (TGFA, EGFR, Cox-2) known to promote TFF signaling showed differential expression pattern as well, thereby providing further functional background. Furthermore, the expression patterns of EGFR observed in this study contribute to an advanced view of previous findings of EGFR regulation mainly obtained in rodents. An upregulated EGFR expression during early postnatal development suggests a local relevance to porcine intestinal maturation. However, a feed supplementation with the probiotic strain Enterococcus faecium did not influence TFF expression.

Epidermal growth factor containing culture supernatant enhances intestine development of early-weaned pigs in vivo: Potential mechanisms involved

“…Our detection of EGFR transcript from 0 to 49 days of age was consistent with this report. However, no postnatal change on relative EGFR expression was observed, which is inconsistent with a previous report by Scholven et al (2009) showing a decrease between 1 week of age and post weaning (Scholven et al, 2009). It is not known if pig breed differences could account for this discrepancy.…”

“…These receptors play a role in determining the architecture of the intestine, the composition and proliferation of intestinal cells, and the presence of specific transporters on the brush border membrane (Pluske et al, 1997). Previous studies have revealed that intestinal EGFR, and GLP2R expression is stage dependent during neonatal development (Petersen et al, 2003;Scholven et al, 2009), though the expression patterns of SGLT1, GLUT2, and IGF-1R during this important period, and the influence of weaning on their expression, is unclear. Weaning is one of the most stressful stages in piglet development.…”

Nature of bacterial colonization influences transcription of mucin genes in mice during the first week of life

“…While both gene products play protective roles during gut inflammatory conditions, at sites of epithelial damage [18,29-34] and during postnatal development [35,36], Muc2, unlike Tff3, polymerizes into a protective gel-like structure [1]. Based on the obtained results, it is however not possible to determine whether there is a connection between this difference in functionality and the corresponding gene regulation.…”

Arcobacter butzleri induces a pro-inflammatory response in THP-1 derived macrophages and has limited ability for intracellular survival

“…After incubation, cells were washed with PBS, lysed with RNA Lysis Buffer (miRVana Isolation Kit, Life Technologies) and total RNA was isolated according to the manufacturer's instruction. cDNA was synthesized by reverse-transcription as previously described (Scholven et al, 2009). RT-qPCR arrays were used to quantify mRNA expression of IL-1␣, IL-1ß, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12␣, IL-12ß, TNF␣ and iNOS as well as caspase 8.…”