Expression of Genes Encoding TFF3 in Intestinal Tissues during Weaning in Diarrhea Piglets Induced by Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli

TFF3 (Trefoil factor family 3) is a mature peptide composed of 59 AAs, known to be expressed in intestinal epithelial cells of various organisms and are often co-secreted with mucins by mucus-producing cells. The expression of TFF3 in tissue changed the specificity in disease condition. The aim of this study was to determine the expression of TFF3 gene in diarrhea weaning piglets induced by enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli. For this purpose, a total of 24 Duroc piglets were divided into two groups: diarrhea groups (n=12) infected with Enterotoxigenous E. coli and control groups (n=12) with a standard normal diet. Immunohistochemisty was performed to observe the expression of TFF3 protein in intestinal tissues of piglets. Expressions of genes encoding TFF3 were increased in the intestinal tissues of diarrhea piglets as compare with the control piglets. Moreover, the greater staining of TFF3 was detected on the 1st (P<0.01) and 3rd (P<0.05) days in the duodenum of the diarrhea groups, and 3rd days in the jejunum (P<0.01); in contrast, 3rd and 5th days in the ileum, cecum and colon. These findings indicate that the TFF3 gene play a role in all of the intestinal tissues along with the periods of diarrhea, especially in jejunum and ileum of weaning piglets. (C) 2017 Friends Science Publishers