| abstract |
Mammalian trefoil factors (TFFs) constitute a group of three peptides (TFF1, TFF2 and TFF3) widely distributed in the gastrointestinal tract. These peptides are characterized as containing one (TFF1 and TFF3) or two (TFF2) trefoil domains. The present invention relates to the use of human TFF1 monomer and TFF3 monomer peptides for improving rheological properties of mucin solutions. TFF monomer peptides have been found to decrease the viscosity and elasticity of different mucin solutions when the TFF monomer peptides are in competition with TFF dimer peptides, e.g. TFF2. Trefoil factor 1 (TFF1) and trefoil factor 3 (TFF3) monomers and pharmaceutical compositions comprising TFF monomers are useful for decreasing the viscosity of mucin in mucus layers, and the repair of damaged mucus layers in the gastrointestinal tract (mouth, oesophagus, stomach, small and large intestine, colon) the respiratory passages, the eye, the urinary system (including the bladder) and the cervis uteri. |