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Published on: January 31, 2025
Intestinal expression of TFF and related genes during postnatal development in a piglet probiotic trial
Jutta Scholven1, David Taras, Soroush Sharbati
1Freie Universitat Berlin, Institute of Veterinary Biochemistry, Berlin, Germany. jscholven@gmx.de
Insights
Weaning increases trefoil factor family (TFF) peptide expression in piglet intestines, aiding mucosal repair. Probiotics did not affect this TFF response during early development.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Developmental Biology
- Immunology
Background:
- Trefoil factor family (TFF) peptides are crucial for intestinal epithelial integrity and repair.
- TFF expression is upregulated following mucosal damage and is vital for postnatal intestinal development.
- Weaning in piglets can trigger mucosal inflammation, highlighting the need to understand TFF's role.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of weaning on postnatal intestinal TFF peptide expression in piglets.
- To explore the potential influence of probiotic supplementation on TFF expression during this critical period.
- To examine the expression patterns of genes associated with TFF signaling, such as EGFR.
Main Methods:
- Quantitative analysis of TFF1, TFF2, and TFF3 mRNA levels in piglet intestinal tissues.
- Immunohistochemistry to determine TFF2 protein localization.
- Gene expression analysis of TGFA, EGFR, and Cox-2.
Main Results:
- Low TFF2 expression was observed at early maturation stages, increasing significantly after weaning.
- Weaning also led to increased TFF3 mRNA levels in the distal jejunum and ileum.
- EGFR expression was upregulated during early postnatal development, suggesting a role in porcine intestinal maturation. Probiotic supplementation did not alter TFF expression.
Conclusions:
- Weaning significantly influences TFF peptide expression in the porcine gut, indicating a role in mucosal restitution.
- EGFR expression patterns provide new insights into intestinal maturation in piglets.
- The probiotic strain Enterococcus faecium did not modulate the TFF response to weaning.
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.
