ISSN:
1365-2559
Source:
Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Biliary epithelial trefoil peptide expression is increased in biliary diseases Aims: Maintenance of the cellular integrity of the biliary epithelium may involve the production of mucins and mucin-associated peptides. In the luminal gastrointestinal tract, mucins and the mucin-associated trefoil peptides (TFF) are integral to cytoprotection and cellular repair of the mucosa. Methods and results: Samples of normal and diseased human liver tissue were examined using histological and immunohistochemical techniques, for the expression of TFF and mucins. Bile ducts were classified as small, medium or large depending upon the number of biliary epithelial cells. TFF expression was demonstrated in biliary epithelial cells of both normal and diseased liver tissue. TFF expression was greatest in the large bile ducts. In normal liver tissue, expression of at least one TFF was demonstrated in 2–7% of small bile ducts, 5–31% of medium bile ducts and 31–85% of large bile ducts. Seventy-seven percent of large bile ducts secreted mucins and all three TFF concurrently, compared with 3% of medium bile ducts and no small bile ducts. Biliary disease resulted in an increased expression of TFF1 and TFF3 in the medium bile ducts. Conclusions: The biliary epithelial cells in normal and diseased human liver tissue express TFF, particularly in the larger bile ducts. TFF expression may be up-regulated or induced in biliary diseases as a response to injury, as is seen in epithelial damage elsewhere in the gastrointestinal tract.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2559.2002.01347.x
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