Quantitative measurements of trefoil factor family peptides: possibilities and pitfalls

Abstract

The trefoil factor family (TFF) peptides TFF1, TFF2, and TFF3 are produced and secreted by mucous membranes throughout the body. Their importance for the protection and repair of epithelial surfaces is well established, and the three peptides are present in various amounts in mucosal secretions as well as in the circulation. They have been linked to both inflammatory diseases and to various types of cancer, and serum concentrations of TFF3 show a more than 47-fold increase during pregnancy. Several both commercial and in-house immunoassays exist, but a number of methodological issues remain unresolved. This review describes methodological challenges in the measurement of the peptides in humans, and summarizes current knowledge concerning the occurrence and possible significance of the peptides in human health and disease.

Human Synovia Contains Trefoil Factor Family (TFF) Peptides 1–3 Although Synovial Membrane Only Produces TFF3: Implications in Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis

“…Hampel et al evaluated and discussed their effect in assays for chemokine and cytokine levels in OA and RA synovial fluid [34] and, in particular, detected false-positive reactions for chemokines in the assay of RA synovial fluid samples. Furthermore, Samson et al validated commercial assays for measurements of TFFs in serum [35]. They revealed acceptable results for TFF2- and TFF3-commercial assays but not for TFF1 assays which showed a poor precision and a narrow measuring range.…”

Increased immunoexpression of trefoil factors in salivary gland tumors

“…Based on the present observations, it is tempting to hypothesize that overexpression of TFFs in salivary gland tumors might lead to increased TFF amounts in saliva, and higher levels of salivary TFF concentrations in the patients may be suggestive of salivary gland tumors. In addition, measurements of secreted TFFs in mucosal fluids and serum have been reported for their potential use as diagnostic markers [44]. Thus, quantification of salivary TFF concentrations in patients with oral tumors may be useful for development of biomarkers in terms of differential diagnosis between salivary gland tumors and other oral neoplasms which clinical manifestations are indistinguishable.…”

DcR3, TFF3, and Midkine Are Novel Serum Biomarkers in Small Intestinal Neuroendocrine Tumors

“…The specificity and sensitivity of DcR3 as a prognostic biomarker were good according to the ROC curve analysis, and further analyses in a larger cohort should be performed to confirm its clinical potential as a biomarker for bulky disease and prognosis. TFF3 is mostly produced in the mucus-secreting goblet cells of the small intestine and colon, and its main function is protecting and repairing epithelial surfaces [29] . Elevated expression is seen in a variety of solid tumors and is associated with an aggressive phenotype and poor prognosis [30][31][32][33] .…”