Trefoil factor family 3 (TFF3) is a small secretory protein primarily expressed by epithelial cells in the gastrointestinal tract, respiratory system, and other mucin-rich tissues. It belongs to the trefoil factor family, characterized by a conserved trefoil domain formed by six cysteine residues that stabilize its structure through disulfide bonds. TFF3 plays critical roles in mucosal repair, cytoprotection, and maintaining epithelial integrity. It promotes cell migration, inhibits apoptosis, and modulates inflammatory responses, making it essential for mucosal healing and barrier function. Dysregulation of TFF3 is implicated in conditions like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), cancer, and mucosal injury.
TFF3 antibodies are immunological tools used to detect, quantify, or localize TFF3 in research and diagnostics. These antibodies, often monoclonal or polyclonal, enable studies of TFF3 expression patterns in normal vs. diseased tissues. In cancer research, TFF3 antibodies help investigate its dual role as a tumor suppressor or promoter, depending on context. Elevated TFF3 levels in colorectal, breast, or pancreatic cancers correlate with metastasis and poor prognosis, while its loss is linked to chronic inflammation. Clinically, TFF3 antibodies are utilized in immunohistochemistry (IHC) for tissue diagnostics and in ELISA for biomarker analysis in bodily fluids. Recent interest also focuses on their potential in therapeutic development, targeting TFF3 pathways to enhance mucosal healing or block oncogenic signaling. Validation of TFF3 antibodies ensures specificity for applications in basic research, disease mechanisms, and translational medicine.