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Review
. 2014 Mar 28;20(12):3223-30.
doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i12.3223.

Trefoil factors in inflammatory bowel disease

Luise Aamann  1 , Else Marie Vestergaard  1 , Henning Grønbæk  1
Affiliations
Review

Trefoil factors in inflammatory bowel disease

Luise Aamann et al. World J Gastroenterol. .

Abstract

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which comprises ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, is characterized by inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. The trefoil factors 1, 2, and 3 (TFF1-3) are a family of peptides that play important roles in the protection and repair of epithelial surfaces, including the gastrointestinal tract. TFFs may be involved in IBD pathogenesis and are a potential treatment option. In the present review, we describe the TFF family and their potential role in IBD by summarizing the current knowledge of their expression, possible function and pharmacological role in IBD.

Keywords: Crohn’s disease; Inflammation; Inflammatory bowel disease; Trefoil factors; Ulcerative colitis.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Role of trefoil factors in inflammatory bowel disease. The potential mechanisms involving anti-apoptotic properties, migration and invasion, angiogenesis, and interaction with mucins. IBD: Inflammatory bowel disease; EGF-R: Epidermal growth factor receptor; NF-κB: Nuclear factor-kappa B.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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