Trefoil factor 1 (TFF1) reduces cerebral edema and gastric mucosal injury by regulating the EGFR/Src/FAK pathway in an intracerebral hemorrhage rat model

The destruction of the blood-brain barrier and damage to the gastrointestinal mucosa after intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) are important reasons for its high disability and mortality rates. However, the exact etiology is not yet clear. In addition, there are currently no effective treatments for improving cerebral edema and gastric mucosal damage after ICH. Trefoil factor 1 (TFF1) is a secretory protein that plays a crucial role in maintaining the integrity and barrier function of the gastric mucosa, and it has been reported to have a protective effect on brain damage induced by various causes. This study utilized a rat model of ICH induced by type IV collagenase was utilized, and intervened with recombinant TFF1 protein from an external institute to investigate the protective mechanisms of TFF1 against brain edema and gastric mucosal damage after ICH. The results demonstrated that TFF1 alleviated the neurological function and gastric mucosal damage in the rat model of ICH induced by type IV collagenase. TFF1 may ensure the integrity of the blood-brain and gastric mucosal barriers by regulating the EGFR (epidermal growth factor receptor)/Src (non-receptor tyrosine kinase)/FAK (focal adhesion kinase) pathway. Clearly, the disruption of the blood-brain barrier and the destruction of the gastric mucosal barrier are key pathological features of ICH, and TFF1 can improve the progression of blood-brain barrier and gastric mucosal barrier disruption in ICH by regulating the EGFR/Src/FAK pathway. Therefore, TFF1 may be a potential target for the treatment of ICH.