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TFF peptides in the human efferent tear ducts.

Friedrich P Paulsen1, Margitta Hinz, Ulrich Schaudig

  • 1Institute of Anatomy, Christian Albrechts University, Kiel, Germany. fpaulsen@anat.uni-kiel.de

Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science
|October 31, 2002
PubMed
Summary
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Human lacrimal sac and nasolacrimal ducts synthesize TFF3 peptides and sometimes TFF1 peptides. These trefoil factors (TFF) may play a role in tear transport and epithelial healing.

Area of Science:

  • Ophthalmology
  • Cell Biology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Trefoil factors (TFF) are mucin-associated secretory peptides.
  • TFF peptides are involved in epithelial restitution and have roles in various mucosal tissues.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the synthesis of TFF peptides in the human lacrimal sac and nasolacrimal duct epithelium.
  • To determine the localization and distribution of TFF peptides within the lacrimal passage.

Main Methods:

  • Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot analysis were used to detect TFF peptide mRNA and protein expression.
  • Immunohistochemistry with specific antisera was employed to visualize the distribution of TFF peptides in lacrimal passage tissues.
  • Samples included surgical and postmortem tissues from 28 individuals.

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Main Results:

  • mRNA for TFF1 and TFF3, but not TFF2, was detected in the lacrimal sac and nasolacrimal duct.
  • TFF3 was ubiquitously present in all samples, while TFF1 was found in approximately 50% of samples.
  • Immunohistochemistry showed TFF3 in epithelial and serous gland cells, and TFF1 in goblet cells (when present).

Conclusions:

  • The lacrimal sac and nasolacrimal duct epithelium synthesizes TFF3 and, in some cases, TFF1.
  • TFF3 is produced by epithelial and serous gland cells, differing from its localization in conjunctival goblet cells.
  • TFF peptides likely contribute to tear film rheology and epithelial healing in the lacrimal passage.