Helicobacter pylori stimulates gastric epithelial cell MMP-1 secretion via CagA-dependent and -independent ERK activation

Because the mechanisms of Helicobacter pylori-induced gastric injury are incompletely understood, we examined the hypothesis that H. pylori induces matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) secretion, with potential to disrupt gastric stroma. We further tested the role of CagA, an H. pylori virulence factor, in MMP-1 secretion. Co-incubation of AGS cells with Tx30a, an H. pylori strain lacking the cagA virulence gene, stimulated MMP-1 secretion, confirming cagA-independent secretion. Co-incubation with strain 147C (cagA(+)) resulted in CagA translocation into AGS cells and increased MMP-1 secretion relative to Tx30a. Transfection of cells with the recombinant 147C cagA gene also induced MMP-1 secretion, indicating that CagA can independently stimulate MMP-1 secretion. Co-incubation with strain 147A, containing a cagA gene that lacks an EPIYA tyrosine phosphorylation motif, as well as transfection with 147A cagA, yielded an MMP-1 secretion intermediate between no treatment and 147C, indicating that CagA tyrosine phosphorylation regulates cellular signaling in this model system. H. pylori induced activation of the MAP kinase ERK, with CagA-independent (early) and dependent (later) components. MEK inhibitors UO126 and PD98059 inhibited both CagA-independent and -dependent MMP-1 secretion, whereas p38 inhibition enhanced MMP-1 secretion and ERK activation, suggesting p38 negative regulation of MMP-1 and ERK. These data indicate H. pylori effects on host epithelial MMP-1 expression via ERK, with p38 playing a potential regulatory role.     

Phosphorylation of tyrosine 972 of the Helicobacter pylori CagA protein is essential for induction of a scattering phenotype in gastric epithelial cells

Helicobacter pylori colonizes the human stomach and is the causative agent of a variety of gastric diseases. After bacterial attachment, the H. pylori CagA protein is translocated into gastric epithelial cells and tyrosine phosphorylated. This process is associated with characteristic cytoskeletal rearrangements, resulting in a scatter factor-like ('hummingbird') phenotype. In this study, using a cagA mutant complemented with wild-type cagA and transiently expressing CagA in AGS cells, we have demonstrated that translocated CagA is necessary for rearrangements of the actin cytoskeleton to occur. Anti-phosphotyrosine immunoblotting studies and treatment of infected cells with phosphotyrosine kinase inhibitors suggested that not only translocation but also phosphorylation of CagA is important in this process. Transient expression of CagA-green fluorescent protein (GFP) fusion proteins and two-dimensional gel electrophoresis of CagA protein species demonstrated tyrosine phosphorylation in the C-terminus. Site-directed mutagenesis of CagA revealed that tyrosine residue 972 is essential for induction of the cellular phenotype. We have also demonstrated that translocation and phosphorylation of CagA is necessary but not sufficient for induction of the hummingbird phenotype in AGS cells, indicating the involvement of as yet unidentified bacterial factor(s).     

Attenuation of Helicobacter pylori CagA x SHP-2 signaling by interaction between CagA and C-terminal Src kinase

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a causative agent of gastric diseases ranging from gastritis to cancer. The CagA protein is the product of the cagA gene carried among virulent H. pylori strains and is associated with severe disease outcomes, most notably gastric carcinoma. CagA is injected from the attached H. pylori into gastric epithelial cells and undergoes tyrosine phosphorylation. The phosphorylated CagA binds and activates SHP-2 phosphatase and thereby induces a growth factor-like morphological change termed the "hummingbird phenotype." In this work, we demonstrate that CagA is also capable of interacting with C-terminal Src kinase (Csk). As is the case with SHP-2, Csk selectively binds tyrosine-phosphorylated CagA via its SH2 domain. Upon complex formation, CagA stimulates Csk, which in turn inactivates the Src family of protein-tyrosine kinases. Because Src family kinases are responsible for CagA phosphorylation, an essential prerequisite of CagA.SHP-2 complex formation and subsequent induction of the hummingbird phenotype, our results indicate that CagA-Csk interaction down-regulates CagA.SHP-2 signaling by both competitively inhibiting CagA.SHP-2 complex formation and reducing levels of CagA phosphorylation. We further demonstrate that CagA.SHP-2 signaling eventually induces apoptosis in AGS cells. Our results thus indicate that CagA-Csk interaction prevents excess cell damage caused by deregulated activation of SHP-2. Attenuation of CagA activity by Csk may enable cagA-positive H. pylori to persistently infect the human stomach for decades while avoiding excess CagA toxicity to the host.     

Translocation of the Helicobacter pylori CagA protein in gastric epithelial cells by a type IV secretion apparatus

Helicobacter pylori is one of the most common bacterial pathogens, infecting about 50% of the world population. The presence of a pathogenicity island (PAI) in H. pylori has been associated with gastric disease. We present evidence that the H. pylori protein encoded by the cytotoxin-associated gene A ( cagA ) is translocated and phosphorylated in infected epithelial cells. Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) of proteins isolated from infected AGS cells revealed H. pylori strain-specific and time-dependent tyrosine phosphorylation and dephosphorylation of several 125–135 kDa and 75–80 kDa proteins. Immunoblotting studies, matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS), cell fractionation and confocal microscopy demonstrated that one of the 125–135 kDa proteins represents the H. pylori CagA protein, which is translocated into the host cell membrane and the cytoplasm. Translocation of CagA was dependent on functional cagA gene and virulence ( vir ) genes of a type IV secretion apparatus composed of virB4 , virB7 , virB10 , virB11 and virD4 encoded in the cag PAI of H. pylori . Our findings support the view that H. pylori actively translocates virulence determinants, including CagA, which could be involved in the development of a variety of gastric disease.     

MicroRNAs up-regulated by CagA of Helicobacter pylori induce intestinal metaplasia of gastric epithelial cells

CagA of Helicobacter pylori is a bacterium-derived oncogenic protein closely associated with the development of gastric cancers. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of widespread non-coding RNAs, many of which are involved in cell growth, cell differentiation and tumorigenesis. The relationship between CagA protein and miRNAs is unclear. Using mammalian miRNA profile microarrays, we found that miRNA-584 and miRNA-1290 expression was up-regulated in CagA-transformed cells, miRNA-1290 was up-regulated in an Erk1/2-dependent manner, and miRNA-584 was activated by NF-κB. miRNA-584 sustained Erk1/2 activities through inhibition of PPP2a activities, and miRNA-1290 activated NF-κB by knockdown of NKRF. Foxa1 was revealed to be an important target of miRNA-584 and miRNA-1290. Knockdown of Foxa1 promoted the epithelial-mesenchymal transition significantly. Overexpression of miRNA-584 and miRNA-1290 induced intestinal metaplasia of gastric epithelial cells in knock-in mice. These results indicate that miRNA-584 and miRNA-1290 interfere with cell differentiation and remodel the tissues. Thus, the miRNA pathway is a new pathogenic mechanism of CagA.     

幽门螺杆菌东、西方株CagA的序列差异及其对胃癌细胞生长与凋亡的影响

【背景】幽门螺杆菌(Helicobacter pylori,H.pylori)是胃癌的主要致病因素,其分泌的细胞毒素相关基因A蛋白(Cytotoxin associated gene A,CagA)是目前已知唯一能被H.pylori注入胃上皮细胞并模拟细胞内蛋白发挥作用的癌蛋白,参与胃癌的发生发展。【目的】比较H.pylori东亚株和西方株CagA结构差异,初步探讨H.pylori-CagA对胃癌细胞增殖与凋亡的影响。【方法】对H.pylori东亚株和西方株CagA的核酸及氨基酸序列进行生物信息学分析,构建含东亚株和西方株cagA基因的真核表达载体,转染胃癌细胞AGS,用Western blot法检测CagA蛋白的表达,用CCK8法测定细胞的生长曲线,流式细胞术检测细胞凋亡。【结果】生物信息学分析发现H.pylori东亚、西方菌株CagA的核酸序列和氨基酸序列均存在特征性差异。构建了含东亚、西方菌株cagA基因的表达载体[命名为GZ7/cagA(东亚株)和26695/cagA(西方株)]。与空载体组比较,GZ7/cagA和26695/cagA转染组均表达CagA蛋白,两组比较表达量无显著性差异,GZ7/cagA转染组细胞生长显著增加,而26695/cagA转染组细胞生长显著降低(P0.05)。GZ7/cagA转染组、26695/cagA转染组细胞的凋亡率分别为7.23±0.96及9.17±1.40,均高于空载体组(5.03±0.63),差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。【结论】东亚株与西方株CagA之间有结构和功能的差异,东亚株CagA能促进细胞增殖,而西方株CagA却抑制细胞增殖,但两者均能促进细胞凋亡。     

Helicobacter pylori infection and CagA protein translocation in human primary gastric epithelial cell culture

BACKGROUND: Increasing evidence has shown that Helicobacter pylori CagA protein translocation into gastric epithelial cells plays an important role in the development of gastric inflammation and malignancy. Translocated CagA undergoes tyrosine phosphorylation in gastric adenocarcinoma cell line cells, and CagA involves disruption of cellular apical-junction complex in Madin-Darby canine kidney cells. METHODS: To elucidate whether these events take place in normal human gastric epithelium, we infected human primary gastric epithelial cells with H. pylori. RESULTS: Our results demonstrate that CagA protein was translocated into primary gastric epithelial cells and tyrosine phosphorylated. The translocated CagA induces cytoskeletal rearrangement and the disruption of tight junctions in primary gastric epithelial cells. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides direct evidence of the modulation of gastric epithelial cells by CagA protein translocation, and advances our understanding of the pathogenesis of H. pylori infection.     

幽门螺杆菌感染激活NF-κB信号通路促进胃癌SGC-7901细胞炎症因子释放

为了探讨幽门螺杆菌对胃癌SGC-7901细胞炎症因子释放的影响,本研究将幽门螺杆菌感染SGC-7901细胞后,采用细胞计数盒(CCK-8)检测SGC-7901细胞活力,酶联免疫吸附实验(ELISA)检测炎症因子TNF-α、IL-1β以及IL-8的水平,Real-time PCR检测细胞TNF-α、IL-1β以及IL-8 m RNA的表达,蛋白免疫印迹法(Western blotting)检测NF-κB信号通路相关蛋白NF-κB p65蛋白表达以及IκBα磷酸化水平。研究结果表明,幽门螺杆菌感染后,SGC-7901细胞活力显著增加;幽门螺杆菌感染明显上调SGC-7901细胞TNF-α、IL-1β以及IL-8 mRNA的表达;本研究还进一步发现幽门螺杆菌感染显著增加SGC-7901细胞TNF-α、IL-1β以及IL-8的水平;此外,幽门螺杆菌处理的SGC-7901细胞,其NF-κB p65的蛋白表达以及IκBα磷酸化水平均显著上调。本研究的结论初步表明,幽门螺杆菌感染促进胃癌SGC-7901细胞炎症因子的释放,其机制可能涉及激活NF-κB信号通路。     

Helicobacter pylori CagA protein targets the c-Met receptor and enhances the motogenic response

Infection with the human microbial pathogen Helicobacter pylori is assumed to lead to invasive gastric cancer. We find that H. pylori activates the hepatocyte growth factor/scatter factor receptor c-Met, which is involved in invasive growth of tumor cells. The H. pylori effector protein CagA intracellularly targets the c-Met receptor and promotes cellular processes leading to a forceful motogenic response. CagA could represent a bacterial adaptor protein that associates with phospholipase Cgamma but not Grb2-associated binder 1 or growth factor receptor-bound protein 2. The H. pylori-induced motogenic response is suppressed and blocked by the inhibition of PLCgamma and of MAPK, respectively. Thus, upon translocation, CagA modulates cellular functions by deregulating c-Met receptor signaling. The activation of the motogenic response in H. pylori-infected epithelial cells suggests that CagA could be involved in tumor progression.     

Galectin-3 binds to Helicobacter pylori O-antigen: it is upregulated and rapidly secreted by gastric epithelial cells in response to H. pylori adhesion

Helicobacter pylori causes gastritis and some infections result in peptic ulceration, gastric adenocarcinoma or gastric lymphoma. A critical step in the pathogenesis of these diseases is the ability of H. pylori to adhere to gastric epithelial cells. A role for the lipopolysaccharide O-antigen side-chain in this process has previously been identified. In this study, evidence is presented that the receptor recognized by the O-antigen side-chain is galectin-3, a beta-galactoside-binding lectin. A variety of functions have been ascribed to galectin-3 including modulation of extracellular adhesion and chemotaxis of monocytes and neutrophils. Expression of galectin-3 is upregulated by gastric epithelial cells following adhesion of H. pylori, suggesting that in addition to colonization this protein also plays a role in the host response to infection. Upregulation of galectin-3 is inhibited by treating gastric epithelial cells with the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) inhibitors U0126 or PD098059 and does not occur in cells infected with either H. pylori cagE or cagA isogenic mutants. This implies that H. pylori-mediated expression of galectin-3 is dependent on delivery of CagA into the host cell cytosol and the subsequent stimulation of MAPK signalling. A further consequence of H. pylori adhesion is that it elicits a rapid release of galectin-3 from infected cells. A role for this phenomenon in initiating the trafficking of phagocytic cells to the site of infection is discussed.     

The role of CagA status in gastric and extragastric complications of Helicobacter pylori.

Two major markers of virulence have been described in H. pylori. The first is a secreted protein (VacA) that is toxic to human cells in tissue culture. This cytotoxin causes vacuolation of epithelial cells in vitro and induces epithelial cell damage in mice. The second is a 40-Kb pathogenicity island for which the gene cagA (cytotoxin-associated gene A) is a marker. Approximately 60% of H. pylori isolates in Western countries are cagA+. The protein encoded by cagA+ has a molecular weight of 120-140 kDa and exhibits sequence heterogeneity among strains isolated from Western and Eastern countries. Although no specific function has been identified for CagA, there is increasing evidence that cagA+ strains are associated with increased intensity of gastric inflammation and increased mucosal concentration of particular cytokines including interleukin 8. Inactivation of picB (Hp 0544) or any of several other genes in the cag island ablates the enhanced IL-8 secretion of human gastric epithelial cells in tissue culture. Furthermore, persons colonized with cagA+ strains have an increased risk of developing more severe gastric diseases such as peptic ulcer and distal (non-cardia) gastric cancer than those harboring cagA- strains. We investigated the role of cagA status in both gastroduodenal and extragastroduodenal disease with H. pylori. Among the diseases limited to the antrum and body of the stomach and the duodenum, we demonstrated a correlation between CagA seropositivity and peptic ulcer disease. We also showed correlation between distal gastric cancer rated and CagA prevalence in populations in both developed and developing countries. In addition, we found that for several Asian populations, the relationship between CagA seropositivity and gastroduodenal diseases was complex. For extragastroduodenal diseases, our results confirmed previous reports that demonstrated that CagA status did not play a role in diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and hyperemesis gravidarum. However, we found a clear negative association between the presence of a positive response to CagA and esophageal diseases. Therefore, CagA seropositivity (and thus gastric carriage) is associated with increased risks of certain diseases (involving the lower stomach and duodenum) and decreased risks of GERD and its sequelae. This apparent paradox can best be explained by differences in the interaction of cagA+ and cagA- strains with their hosts.     

Focal adhesion kinase is a substrate and downstream effector of SHP-2 complexed with Helicobacter pylori CagA

Infection with cagA-positive Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is associated with atrophic gastritis, peptic ulcer, and gastric adenocarcinoma. The cagA gene product CagA is translocated from H. pylori into gastric epithelial cells and undergoes tyrosine phosphorylation by Src family kinases (SFKs). Tyrosine-phosphorylated CagA binds and activates SHP-2 phosphatase and the C-terminal Src kinase (Csk) while inducing an elongated cell shape termed the "hummingbird phenotype." Here we show that CagA reduces the level of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) tyrosine phosphorylation in gastric epithelial cells. The decrease in phosphorylated FAK is due to SHP-2-mediated dephosphorylation of FAK at the activating phosphorylation sites, not due to Csk-dependent inhibition of SFKs, which phosphorylate FAK. Coexpression of constitutively active FAK with CagA inhibits induction of the hummingbird phenotype, whereas expression of dominant-negative FAK elicits an elongated cell shape characteristic of the hummingbird phenotype. These results indicate that inhibition of FAK by SHP-2 plays a crucial role in the morphogenetic activity of CagA. Impaired cell adhesion and increased motility by CagA may be involved in the development of gastric lesions associated with cagA-positive H. pylori infection.     

The Helicobacter pylori virulence factor CagA promotes Erk1/2-mediated Bad phosphorylation in lymphocytes: a mechanism of CagA-inhibited lymphocyte apoptosis

The Helicobacter pylori virulence factor, CagA, is causally linked to lymphoma of gastric mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT). However, it is unclear how CagA promotes the development of gastric MALT lymphoma. We investigated whether CagA modulates the activation of Erk1/2 and their downstream apoptosis regulators in B lymphocytes. Transfection of B1 lymphocytes with cagA transiently increased Erk1/2 phosphorylation, which was negatively regulated by MKP-1 and MKP-6. Activation of Erk1/2 led to phosphorylation of Bad at Ser-112, as confirmed with a chemical Erk1/2 inhibitor. However, CagA-induced Erk1/2 activation did not alter expression of either Bcl-2 or Bax. Importantly, cagA-transfected B1 cells were significantly protected against apoptosis induced by hydroxyurea. Our results reveal that CagA, to some extent like IL-3, can enhance lymphocytes' ability to evade apoptosis through phosphorylation of Bad. This may account, at least in part, for the ability of CagA to promote lymphomagenesis.     

幽门螺杆菌通过激活磷脂酰肌醇3-激酶信号来调节细胞迁移

目的幽门螺杆菌被认为是诱发胃癌的最强的风险因素。幽门螺旋杆菌的毒性成分是可以增加癌症危险的cag分泌系统,它可以使cagA和肽聚糖易位进入宿主细胞,进而激活信号转导通路。AKT是磷脂酰肌醇3。激酶（PI3K）的目的蛋白,并在胃癌中被激活,但PI3K-AKT和具有潜在致癌性的幽门螺旋杆菌诱导的细胞反应之间的关系尚不清楚。方法我们揭示了介导幽门螺旋杆菌刺激的AKT活化和胃上皮细胞的这些生物学结果之间的分子通路。结果幽门螺旋杆菌以Scr和表皮生长因子受体依赖性方式增加PI3K-AKT的信号,是幽门螺旋杆菌诱导的细胞迁移不可或缺的。结论这些结果表明,PI3K-AKT信号调节幽门螺旋杆菌诱发的病理生理反应,从而降低癌变门槛。     

Forsythiaside A Exhibits Anti-inflammatory Effects in LPS-Stimulated BV2 Microglia Cells Through Activation of Nrf2/HO-1 Signaling Pathway

Inflammation and oxidative stress have been reported to play critical roles in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disease. Forsythiaside A, a phenylethanoside product isolated from air-dried fruits of Forsythia suspensa, has been reported to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. In this study, the anti-inflammatory effects of forsythiaside A on LPS-stimulated BV2 microglia cells and primary microglia cells were investigated. The production of inflammatory mediators TNF-α, IL-1β, NO and PGE₂ were detected in this study. NF-κB, nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) expression were detected by western blot analysis. Our results showed that forsythiaside A significantly inhibited LPS-induced inflammatory mediators TNF-α, IL-1β, NO and PGE₂ production. LPS-induced NF-κB activation was suppressed by forsythiaside A. Furthermore, forsythiaside A was found to up-regulate the expression of Nrf2 and HO-1. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that forsythiaside A inhibits LPS-induced inflammatory responses in BV2 microglia cells and primary microglia cells through inhibition of NF-κB activation and activation of Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway.