We previously determined that the N-terminal region of bovine mammary-associated serum amyloid A3 (M-SAA3) increased intestinal mucin MUC3 levels in HT29 human intestinal cells by similar to2.5-fold, relative to untreated cells. This study shows that the human M-SAA3 N-terminal peptide further enhances MUC3 transcript levels by similar to4.3-fold in these cells (p < 0.02), implicating a species-specific interaction. Furthermore, immunofluorescence and immunoblot analysis using a MUC3-specific monoclonal antibody confirms that the human M-SAA3 peptide stimulates MUC3 protein expression and secretion by the HT29 cells. More importantly, pretreatment of the cells with the peptide causes a subsequent 73% decrease in the adherence of enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) to these cells, relative to untreated cells (p < 0.01). The intestinal mucin MUC3 has been shown to provide a protective barrier in the gut and inhibit adherence of pathogens to the gut wall. Therefore, a means to increase MUC3 protein expression by a colostrum-associated peptide or protein may be a highly effective prophylactic treatment for the prevention of gastrointestinal diseases such as necrotizing enterocolitis and infectious diarrhea. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.