Activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma suppresses nuclear factor kappa B-mediated apoptosis induced by Helicobacter pylori in gastric epithelial cells

Helicobacter pylori colonization leads to epithelial cell hyperproliferation within inflamed mucosa, but levels of apoptosis vary, suggesting that imbalances between rates of cell production and loss may contribute to differences in gastric cancer risk among infected populations. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma) regulates inflammatory and growth responses of intestinal epithelial cells. We determined whether activation of PPARgamma modified H. pylori-induced apoptosis in gastric epithelial cells. PPARgamma was expressed and functionally active in gastric epithelial cell lines sensitive to H. pylori-induced apoptosis. PPARgamma ligands 15d-PGJ(2) and BRL-49653 significantly attenuated H. pylomicronri-induced apoptosis, effects that could be reversed by co-treatment with a specific PPARgamma antagonist. Cyclopentanone prostaglandins that do not bind and activate PPARgamma had no effects on H. pylori-induced apoptosis. The ability of H. pylori to activate nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB and increase levels of the NF-kappaB target IL-8 was blocked by co-treatment with PPARgamma agonists, and direct inhibition of NF-kappaB also abolished H. pylori-stimulated apoptosis. These results suggest that activation of the PPARgamma pathway attenuates the ability of H. pylori to induce NF-kappaB-mediated apoptosis in gastric epithelial cells. Because PPARgamma regulates a multitude of host responses, activation of this receptor may contribute to varying levels of cellular turnover as well as the diverse pathologic outcomes associated with chronic H. pylori colonization.     

Helicobacter pylori infection activates NF-kappaB signaling pathway to induce iNOS and protect human gastric epithelial cells from apoptosis

Helicobacter pylori infection induces apoptosis and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression in gastric epithelial cells. In this study, we investigated the effects of NF-kappaB activation and iNOS expression on apoptosis in H. pylori-infected gastric epithelial cells. The suppression of NF-kappaB significantly increased caspase-3 activity and apoptosis in H. pylori-infected MKN-45 and Hs746T gastric epithelial cell lines as well as primary gastric epithelial cells. An NF-kappaB signaling pathway via NF-kappaB-inducing kinase and IkappaB kinase-beta activation was found to be involved in the inhibition of apoptosis in H. pylori-infected gastric epithelial cells. In gastric epithelial cells transfected with retrovirus containing IkappaBalpha superrepressor, iNOS mRNA and protein levels were reduced, indicating that H. pylori infection induced the expression of iNOS by activating NF-kappaB. Moreover, a NO donor, S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine (100 microM), decreased caspase-3 activity and apoptosis in NF-kappaB-suppressed cells infected with H. pylori. These results suggest that NF-kappaB activation may play a role in protecting gastric epithelial cells from H. pylori-induced apoptosis by upregulating endogenous iNOS.     

Differential activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases in AGS gastric epithelial cells by cag+ and cag- Helicobacter pylori.

The aim of this study was to determine whether Helicobacter pylori activates mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases in gastric epithelial cells. Infection of AGS cells with an H. pylori cag+ strain rapidly (5 min) induced a dose-dependent activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK), p38, and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) MAP kinases, as determined by Western blot analysis and in vitro kinase assay. Compared with cag+ strains, cag- clinical isolates were less potent in inducing MAP kinase, particularly JNK and p38, activation. Isogenic inactivation of the picB region of the cag pathogenicity island resulted in a similar loss of JNK and p38 MAP kinase activation. The specific MAP kinase inhibitors, PD98059 (25 microM; MAP kinase kinase (MEK-1) inhibitor) and SB203580 (10 microM; p38 inhibitor), reduced H. pylori-induced IL-8 production in AGS cells by 78 and 82%, respectively (p < 0.01 for each). Both inhibitors together completely blocked IL-8 production (p < 0.001). However, the MAP kinase inhibitors did not prevent H. pylori-induced IkappaBalpha degradation or NF-kappaB activation. Thus, H. pylori rapidly activates ERK, p38, and JNK MAP kinases in gastric epithelial cells; cag+ isolates are more potent than cag- strains in inducing MAP kinase phosphorylation and gene products of the cag pathogenicity island are required for maximal MAP kinase activation. p38 and MEK-1 activity are required for H. pylori-induced IL-8 production, but do not appear to be essential for H. pylori-induced NF-kappaB activation. Since MAP kinases regulate cell proliferation, differentiation, programmed death, stress, and inflammatory responses, activation of gastric epithelial cell MAP kinases by H. pylori cag+ strains may be instrumental in inducing gastroduodenal inflammation, ulceration, and neoplasia.     

NF-kappa B1 p50 is required for BLyS attenuation of apoptosis but dispensable for processing of NF-kappa B2 p100 to p52 in quiescent mature B cells

B lymphocyte stimulator (BLyS), a TNF family protein essential for peripheral B cell development, functions primarily through attenuation of B cell apoptosis. In this study, we show that BLyS activates NF-kappaB through both classical and alternative pathways with distinct kinetics in quiescent mature B cells. It rapidly and transiently enhances the p50/p65 DNA binding activity and induces phosphorylation of IkappaBalpha characteristic of the classical NF-kappaB pathway, albeit maintaining IkappaBalpha at a constant level through ongoing protein synthesis and proteasome-mediated destruction. With delayed kinetics, BLyS promotes the processing of p100 to p52 and sustained formation of p52/RelB complexes via the alternative NF-kappaB pathway. p50 is dispensable for p100 processing. However, it is required to mediate the initial BLyS survival signals and concomitant activation of Bcl-x(L) in quiescent mature B cells ex vivo. Although also a target of BLyS activation, at least one of the A1 genes, A1-a, is dispensable for the BLyS survival function. These results suggest that BLyS mediates its survival signals in metabolically restricted quiescent B cells, at least in part, through coordinated activation of both NF-kappaB pathways and selective downstream antiapoptotic genes.     

Helicobacter pylori environmental interactions: effect of acidic conditions on H. pylori-induced gastric mucosal interleukin-8 production

To explore the interactions between the host, environment and bacterium responsible for the different manifestations of Helicobacter pylori infection, we examined the effect of acidic conditions on H. pylori-induced interleukin (IL)-8 expression. AGS gastric epithelial cells were exposed to acidic pH and infected with H. pylori[wild-type strain, its isogenic cag pathogenicity island (PAI) mutant or its oipA mutant]. Exposure of AGS cells to acidic pH alone did not enhance IL-8 production. However, following exposure to acidic conditions, H. pylori infection resulted in marked enhancement of IL-8 production which was independent of the presence of the cag PAI and OipA, indicating that H. pylori and acidic conditions act synergistically to induce gastric mucosal IL-8 production. In neutral pH environments H. pylori-induced IL-8 induction involved the NF-kappaB pathways, the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)-->c-Fos/c-Jun-->activating protein (AP-1) pathways, JNK-->c-Jun-->AP-1 pathways and the p38 pathways. At acidic pH H. pylori-induced augmentation of IL-8 production involved markedly upregulated the NF-kappaB pathways and the ERK-->c-Fos-->AP-1 pathways. In contrast, activation of the JNK-->c-Jun-->AP-1 pathways and p38 pathways were pH independent. These results might explain the clinical studies in which patients with duodenal ulcers had higher levels of IL-8 in the antral gastric mucosa than patients with simple H. pylori gastritis.     

Activation of IKKalpha target genes depends on recognition of specific kappaB binding sites by RelB:p52 dimers

IkappaB Kinase (IKK)alpha is required for activation of an alternative NF-kappaB signaling pathway based on processing of the NF-kappaB2/p100 precursor protein, which associates with RelB in the cytoplasm. This pathway, which activates RelB:p52 dimers, is required for induction of several chemokine genes needed for organization of secondary lymphoid organs. We investigated the basis for the IKKalpha dependence of the induction of these genes in response to engagement of the lymphotoxin beta receptor (LTbetaR). Using chromatin immunoprecipitation, we found that the promoters of organogenic chemokine genes are recognized by RelB:p52 dimers and not by RelA:p50 dimers, the ubiquitous target for the classical NF-kappaB signaling pathway. We identified in the IKKalpha-dependent promoters a novel type of NF-kappaB-binding site that is preferentially recognized by RelB:p52 dimers. This site links induction of organogenic chemokines and other important regulatory molecules to activation of the alternative pathway.     

Helicobacter pylori induces apoptosis of rat gastric parietal cells

Gastric Helicobacter pylori infection may lead to multifocal atrophic corpus gastritis associated with loss of epithelial cells as well as glandular structures. The current work investigated H. pylori effects on cell death of isolated, nontransformed rat parietal cells (PC). Highly enriched rat PC (>97%) were isolated from gastric mucosa and cultured in serum-free medium over 24 h. The cells were cocultured over 8 h with cytotoxin-associated immunodominant protein (cagA)(+)/vacuolating toxin (vacA)(+) or with cagA(-)/vacA(-) H. pylori laboratory strains and also with H. pylori mutants deleted in several genes of the cag pathogenicity island. Staphylococcus aureus or Campylobacter jejuni were used as controls. Apoptosis was determined by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick-end labeling staining and electron microscopy. Interleukin (IL)-8 and cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant (CINC)-1 secretion was measured by ELISA. Activation of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) was studied in nuclear extracts of PC by electrophoretic mobility shift assay. Apoptosis of PC was induced in a concentration- and time-dependent manner by cagA(+)/vacA(+) H. pylori strains but not by cagA(-)/vacA(-) negative strains or by the cagE knockout mutant. S. aureus and C. jejuni had no effect. PC showed no IL-8 or CINC-1 secretion on exposure to cagA(+)/vacA(+) H. pylori. cagA(+)/vacA(+) strains induced activation of NF-kappaB complexes in nuclear extracts of PC, which were composed of p65 and p50 subunits. No significant stimulation of NF-kappaB activation was detected by incubation of PC with the cagE knockout mutant. Preincubation of PC with antisense but not missense oligodeoxynucleotides against the p65 subunit significantly reduced DNA binding to the kappaB recognition sequence. The p65 oligonucleotides as well as the proteasome inhibitor N-CBZ-isoleucin-glutamin-(o-t-butyl-)-alanin-leucin and the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor N(G)-monomethyl-L-arginine completely prevented PC apoptosis induced by cagA(+)/vacA(+) strains. In summary, cagE presence appears to be essential for H. pylori-induced apoptosis of gastric parietal cells, and this effect is dependent on the activation of NF-kappaB and production of nitric oxide.     

Upregulation of progranulin by Helicobacter pylori in human gastric epithelial cells via p38MAPK and MEK1/2 signaling pathway: role in epithelial cell proliferation and migration

Helicobacter pylori is a major human pathogen associated with gastric diseases such as chronic active gastritis, peptic ulcer, and gastric carcinoma. The growth factor progranulin (PGRN) is a secreted glycoprotein that functions as an important regulator of cell growth, migration, and transformation. We aimed to determine the molecular mechanisms by which H. pylori upregulates the expression of PGRN and the relationship between H. pylori infection and production of PGRN in controlling cell proliferation and migration. Levels of PGRN were examined in gastric tissues from patients and in vitro in gastric epithelial cells. Cell proliferation was measured by colony formation assay. Cell migration was monitored by wound healing migration assay. PGRN protein levels were increased in patients with gastritis and gastric cancer tissue. Infection of gastric epithelial cells with H. pylori significantly increased PGRN expression in a time-dependent manner. Blockade of the p38 and MEK1/2 pathway by inhibitor inhibited H. pylori-mediated PGRN upregulation. Activation of p38 and MEK1/2 pathway by H. pylori was also identified. Knockdown of PGRN attenuated the H. pylori-induced proliferative activity and migration of cancer cells. These findings suggest that the upregulation of PGRN in H. pylori-infected gastric epithelial cells may contribute to the carcinogenic process.     

Metallothionein is a crucial protective factor against Helicobacter pylori-induced gastric erosive lesions in a mouse model

Infection with the gastric pathogen Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) causes chronic gastritis, peptic ulcer, and gastric adenocarcinoma. These diseases are associated with production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) from infiltrated macrophages and neutrophiles in inflammatory sites. Metallothionein (MT) is a low-molecular-weight, cysteine-rich protein that can act not only as a metal-binding protein, but also as a ROS scavenger. In the present study, we examined the role of MT in the protection against H. pylori-induced gastric injury using MT-null mice. Female MT-null and wild-type mice were challenged with H. pylori SS1 strain, and then histological changes were evaluated with the updated Sydney grading system at 17 and 21 wk after challenge. Although the colonization efficiency of H. pylori was essentially the same for MT-null and wild-type mice, the scores of activity of inflammatory cells were significantly higher in MT-null mice than in wild-type mice at 17 wk after challenge. Histopathological examination revealed erosive lesions accompanied by infiltration of inflammatory cells in the infected MT-null mice but not in wild-type mice. Furthermore, activation of NF-kappaB and expression of NF-kappaB-mediated chemokines such as macrophage inflammatory protein-1alpha and monocytes chemoattractant protein-1 in gastric cells were markedly higher in MT-null mice than in wild-type mice. These results suggest that MT in the gastric mucosa might play an important role in the protection against H. pylori-induced gastric ulceration.     

MyD88 and TNF receptor-associated factor 6 are critical signal transducers in Helicobacter pylori-infected human epithelial cells

Helicobacter pylori induces NF-kappaB activation, leading to mucosal inflammation via cag pathogenicity island. Although recent studies have implicated several candidate proteins of both H. pylori and host, the molecular mechanism by which H. pylori activates NF-kappaB remains unclear. The aim of this study was to analyze the mechanism of cag pathogenicity island-mediated NF-kappaB activation in epithelial cells. The responses of human cell lines and mouse embryonic fibroblasts to infection with wild-type H. pylori or cagE mutant were investigated. The effect of small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) for several NF-kappaB signaling intermediate molecules was evaluated in H. pylori-induced IkappaBalpha phosphorylation and IL-8 production. Protein interactions of exogenously expressed TNFR-associated factor 6 (TRAF6) and MyD88 or receptor-interacting protein 2 and nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain 1 or those of endogenous IkappaB kinase, TGF-beta-activated kinase 1 (TAK1), and TRAF6 were assessed by immunoprecipitation. Cag pathogenicity island-dependent NF-kappaB activation was observed in human cell lines, but not in mouse fibroblasts. In human epithelial cells, H. pylori-induced IkappaBalpha phosphorylation and IL-8 production were severely inhibited by siRNAs directed against TAK1, TRAF6, and MyD88. In contrast, siRNAs for TRAF2, IL-1R-associated kinases 1 and 4, and cell surface receptor proteins did not affect these responses. H. pylori infection greatly enhanced MyD88 and TRAF6 complex formation in a cag-dependent manner, but did not enhance Nod1 and receptor-interacting protein 2 complex formation. H. pylori also induced TAK1 and TRAF6 complexes. These results suggest that the cag pathogenicity island of H. pylori is a cell type-specific NF-kappaB activator. TAK1, TRAF6, and MyD88 are important signal transducers in H. pylori-infected human epithelial cells.     

In vivo and in vitro activation of caspase-8 and -3 associated with Helicobacter pylori infection

In vivo and in vitro studies have shown an increase in apoptosis in gastric epithelial cells in persons infected with Helicobacter pylori. H. pylori-induced activation of caspase-8 and -3 was evaluated using a human gastric adenocarcinoma cell line (AGS) and gastric tissue from humans and monkeys colonized with H. pylori. The enzymatic activity of caspase-8 was detected only in AGS cells exposed to H. pylori up to 24 h. The active form of caspase-8 was present by Western blot after exposure to H. pylori for 3 h and persisted through 24 h. Caspase-3 activity was present in AGS cells exposed to H. pylori for 3 h, reaching a maximum after 24 h (a sevenfold increase in activity). Caspase-8-mediated cleavage of procaspase-3 generated a 20-kDa band (indicative of the presence of active caspase-3) present only in AGS cells exposed to H. pylori. Active caspase-3 staining was markedly increased in gastric mucosa from infected persons and animals, compared to uninfected controls by immunohistochemistry. Stimulation of downstream events leading to apoptosis, such as the cleavage of PARP (poly adenosine-diphosphate-ribose polymerase) and DFF45 (DNA fragmentation factor 45) as a result of activation of caspase-3, was evaluated. PARP was cleaved, resulting in the presence of both an 89- and a 24-kDa band along with DFF45, resulting in the presence of 10- and 12-kDa bands only in gastric cells exposed to H. pylori. Our data show that H. pylori stimulates the activation of caspases and downstream mediators of caspase-induced apoptosis. This suggests that H. pylori-induced apoptosis is mediated through caspase pathways, which include the activation of caspase-8 and subsequent cleavage and activation of caspase-3. This is consistent with caspase-3 activation that was found in the gastric mucosa of humans and monkeys infected with H. pylori.