The trefoil factor family 1 (TFF-1) and 3 (TFF-3) are upregulated in the saliva, gingival crevicular fluid and serum of periodontitis patients.

Elevated TFF-1 and TFF-3 levels both locally and systemically in periodontitis in parallel to increased IL-1β levels might suggest that these peptides are involved in host response during the periodontal tissue destruction.