biostudies-literatureLaskou ADeutsche ForschungsgemeinschaftEuropean Commission2287https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC10888570biostudies-literatureUnknown25(4)TFF3 is a typical secretory poplypeptide of mucous epithelia belonging to the trefoil factor family (TFF) of lectins. In the intestine, respiratory tract, and saliva, TFF3 mainly exists as a high-molecular-mass complex with IgG Fc binding protein (FCGBP), which is indicative of a role in mucosal innate immunity. For the first time, we identified different forms of TFF3 in the endocervix, i.e., monomeric and homodimeric TFF3, as well as a high-molecular-mass TFF3-FCGBP complex; the latter also exists in a hardly soluble form. Immunohistochemistry co-localized TFF3 and FCGBP. Expression analyses of endocervical and post-menopausal vaginal specimens revealed a lack of mucin and TFF3 transcripts in the vaginal specimens. In contrast, genes encoding other typical components of the innate immuneInternational journal of molecular sciencesDifferent Forms of TFF3 in the Human Endocervix, including a Complex with IgG Fc Binding Protein (FCGBP), and Further Aspects of the Cervico-Vaginal Innate Immune Barrier.PMC10888570INST 337/15-1, INST 337/16-1, INST 152/837-1 and INST 152/947-1 FUGGZS/2016/10/81609Matthes CHoffmann WHarder SSchluter HLanger KZnalesniak EBTchaikovski SNJechorek DStrecker CLaskou AfalseDifferent Forms of TFF3 in the Human Endocervix, including a Complex with IgG Fc Binding Protein (FCGBP), and Further Aspects of the Cervico-Vaginal Innate Immune Barrier.TFF3 is a typical secretory poplypeptide of mucous epithelia belonging to the trefoil factor family (TFF) of lectins. In the intestine, respiratory tract, and saliva, TFF3 mainly exists as a high-molecular-mass complex with IgG Fc binding protein (FCGBP), which is indicative of a role in mucosal innate immunity. For the first time, we identified different forms of TFF3 in the endocervix, i.e., monomeric and homodimeric TFF3, as well as a high-molecular-mass TFF3-FCGBP complex; the latter also exists in a hardly soluble form. Immunohistochemistry co-localized TFF3 and FCGBP. Expression analyses of endocervical and post-menopausal vaginal specimens revealed a lack of mucin and TFF3 transcripts in the vaginal specimens. In contrast, genes encoding other typical components of the innate immune2024-01-01T00:00:00Z2024 Feb2025-04-22T13:26:27.994Z2025-02-19T01:38:28.202ZS-EPMC108885703839696410.3390/ijms25042287