Original scientific paper

Trefoil factor family protein 3 affects cancellous bone formation in the secondary centers of ossification of mouse tibiae

NIKOLA BIJELIĆ ; Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia
ŽELJKA PERIĆ KAČAREVIĆ ; Department of Anatomy and Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia J. Huttlera 4, HR-31000 Osijek, Croatia
TATJANA BELOVARI ; Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia
RADIVOJE RADIĆ ; Department of Anatomy and Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia J. Huttlera 4, HR-31000 Osijek, Croatia

Abstract

Background and Purpose: Trefoil factor family (TFF) is a small family
of peptides, which comprises three peptides, TFF1, TFF2 and TFF3. The
primary sites of TFF expression and synthesis are mucous epithelia, with
gastrointestinal mucosa being their main localization. They have a role in
mucosal restitution and strengthening of the normal mucosal barrier. Although not present in healthy articular cartilage, TFF3 is expressed in osteoarthritis and septic arthritis affected cartilage and promotes cartilage degradation in such conditions. Also, TFF3 is present in endochondral ossification during embryonic development. Since this implies a role for TFF3 in the ossification process, we evaluated the histomorphometric parameters of the trabecular bone in the epiphyses of mouse tibiae from wild type mice
and TFF3 knock-out mice.

Materials and Methods: Tibiae of wild-type and knock-out mice were
isolated, fixed in 4% paraformaldehyde, paraffin embedded and cut into 6μm sections, which were stained using Masson’s trichrome stain. Digital photographs were taken for histomorphometry of the epiphyseal cancellous bone.

Results: Trabecular bone volume density, trabecular bone surface density and trabecular number were significantly decreased in TFF3 knock-out mice, when compared to wild-type mice. Trabecular separation was significantly higher in TFF3 knock-out mice, and trabecular thickness did not differ significantly.

Conclusions: In addition to its impact on the cartilage degradation, our
present study shows that TFF3 might also have a role in the formation of cancellous bone and its properties.

Keywords

Trefoil factor; bone; osteogenesis; mouse

Hrčak ID:

139523

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/139523

Publication date:

31.3.2015.

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