霉菌、幽门螺杆菌及双菌种感染在胃溃疡、胃癌中检出的意义

探讨霉菌、幽门螺杆菌(Hp)单菌种感染和霉菌、Hp(双菌种)同时感染在胃癌及胃溃疡中的组织病理学变化、发病情况及意义。采用常规石蜡切片,HE染色和PAS、Giemsa特殊染色、免疫组织化学染色及PCR方法,对223例慢性浅表性胃炎、111例慢性萎缩性胃炎、116例胃溃疡、121例胃癌纤维胃镜活检标本进行回顾性研究。结果显示,慢性浅表性胃炎、慢性萎缩性胃炎未检出双菌种感染。胃溃疡双菌种感染11例,检出率9.5%;胃癌双菌种感染21例,检出率17.4%。双菌种感染在胃癌及胃溃疡中的发现,表明双菌种感染可能是导致胃溃疡、胃癌发生的又一致病因素。     

幽门螺杆菌感染对舌苔菌群的影响

目的 探讨慢性萎缩性胃炎患者和慢性浅表性胃炎患者胃内幽门螺杆菌(Helicobacter pylori,H.pylori)感染与舌苔菌群的关系。方法 根据61名患者内镜、病理和H.pylori检测结果,将其分成慢性萎缩性胃炎H.pylori阳性组(12名)、慢性萎缩性胃炎H.pylori阴性组(16名)、慢性浅表性胃炎H.pylori阳性组(8名)和慢性浅表性胃炎H.pylori阴性组(25名)。采集舌苔样本进行16S rRNA基因测序,分析各组患者舌苔菌群结构。结果 16S rRNA基因测序结果显示,此次测序样本数据量足够,样本所含物种的丰富程度和均匀程度合理。4组舌苔菌群样本中Observed species指数差异有统计学意义(H=10.023 3,P<0.05)。门水平上,舌苔菌群由拟杆菌门、厚壁菌门、变形菌门3大优势菌门组成。属水平上,4组间共有11种菌属的丰度差异有统计学意义(均P<0.05)。在慢性萎缩性胃炎患者中,H.pylori阳性的患者拟普雷沃菌属相对丰度显著低于H.pylori阴性患者,而罗氏菌属的相对丰度则显著升高。此外,61例舌苔菌群样本中,仅1例...     

幽门螺杆菌感染与胃黏膜上皮细胞DNA甲基化的研究进展

在癌症发生表观遗传学研究中,DNA甲基化是研究最多也最深入的一种机制,异常甲基化可导致胃黏膜上皮细胞癌变.幽门螺杆菌(Helicobacter pylori,Hpylori)是胃癌的第Ⅰ类致癌原,在“慢性浅表性胃炎-慢性萎缩性胃炎-肠上皮化生-不典型增生-胃癌”的癌变模式中可能起先导作用.胃癌相关基因的异常甲基化和H.pylori的致癌机制均是目前研究的热点,本研究综述H.pylori感染与胃黏膜上皮细胞DNA异常甲基化的关系,阐述H.pylori感染介导慢性炎症诱发胃黏膜上皮细胞DNA甲基化的机制.     

幽门螺杆菌相关胃癌发生不同阶段 miRNAs表达与临床研究

目的观察幽门螺杆菌(Helicobacter pylori,H.pylori)感染的慢性非萎缩性胃炎(no-atrophic gastritis,NAG)→萎缩性胃炎(chronic atrophic gastritis,CAG)→肠上皮化生(intestinal metaplasia,IM)→非典型增生(dysplasia,DYS)→胃癌(gastric cancer,GC)五个不同阶段miR-1、miR-20a、miR-34a、miR-423-5p表达变化规律及其与临床的关系。方法收集胃镜及病理证实的上述胃癌发生五个不同阶段且H.pylori感染的患者(依次为44、47、43、50、45例),胃癌无H.pylori感染者46例,胃黏膜正常(normal gastric mucose,NGM)63例的血清标本,采用Real-time PCR法检测无H.pylori感染者miR-1、miR-20a、miR-34a、miR-423-5p表达。结果 H.pylori感染NAG→GC不同阶段,miR-1、miR-20a、miR-34a、miR-423-5p表达逐渐升高(P0.05),GC阶段最高,miR-1、miR-20a CAG→GC阶段均高于NGM (P0.05),与NGM比较差异有统计学意义(P0.05);其表达程度与GC发生阶段呈正相关(P0.001);GC组H.pylori感染者较无H.pylori感染者miR-1、miR-20a、miR-34a、miR-423-5p表达升高(P0.05)。结论 H.pylori感染CAG→GC阶段miR-1、miR-20a、miR-34a、miR-423-5p表达升高,向胃癌演进中呈逐渐升高趋势,miR-1、miR-20a、miR-34a、miR-423-5p高表达可能是H.pylori感染后导致胃癌发生发展的重要机制,miR-1、miR-20a、miR-34a可作为诊断早期胃癌的标记物。     

幽门螺杆菌感染者Th1/Th2细胞免疫应答变化

目的观察幽门螺杆菌(H.pylori)相关性胃病患者血清Th1/Th2细胞因子(干扰素-γ,IFN-γ、白细胞介素-4,IL-4)水平变化,以探讨其在发病中的可能免疫致病机制。方法采用酶联免疫吸附测定法(ELISA)测定17例慢性浅表性胃炎、15例胃癌前病变和20例胃癌患者血清IFN-γ及IL-4的含量。比较H.pylori阳性3组患者之间、H.pylori阳性与阴性各相应组患者之间血清2种细胞因子的差异。结果 H.pylori阳性的浅表性胃炎组、胃癌前病变组及胃癌组血清IL-4含量随病变的进展有逐渐升高的趋势,但3组之间差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);H.pylori阳性的3组血清IFN-γ含量差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);H.pylori阳性与阴性的各相应组血清IFN-γ含量差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);H.pylori阳性的胃癌前病变组和胃癌组与H.pylori阴性的相应组血清IL-4含量差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);H.pylori阳性的浅表性胃炎组血清IL-4含量较H.pylori阴性的浅表性胃炎组明显降低(P<0.05)。结论 H.pylori感染可能抑制Th2型免疫应答,导致H.pylori感染持续存在;H.pylori感染相关胃部病变进展过程中,可能存在Th1型应答向Th2型应答漂移,与胃癌的发生可能有一定的相关性。     

幽门螺杆菌相关性胃疾病中miR-551b和miR-124a的表达及意义CSCD

目的 检测miR-551b、miR-124a在慢性浅表性胃炎(CSG)、慢性萎缩性胃炎(CAG)及胃癌(GC)患者胃黏膜组织中表达水平,探讨miR-551b、miR-124a与幽门螺杆菌(H.pylori)感染的关系及在胃癌发生、发展中的作用。方法 选择2018年7月-2019年8月在本院肿瘤科与消化科住院的患者120例,其中CSG患者40例,CAG患者40例,GC患者40例。采用qRT-PCR法检测各研究对象胃黏膜组织中miR-551b、miR-124a表达水平,分析miR-551b、miR-124a水平与H.pylori感染及GC患者临床病理特征的关系。结果 GC组患者胃黏膜组织中miR-551b、miR-124a表达水平低于CSG组、CAG组(P<0.05),CSG、CAG组之间比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);H.pylori阳性感染GC患者胃黏膜组织中miR-551b、miR-124a表达水平低于H.pylori阴性感染患者,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);中低分化、TNM分期为Ⅲ~Ⅳ、浸润深度为T3-T4、有淋巴结转移的GC患者胃黏膜组织中miR-551b、miR-124a表达量低于高分化、TNM分期为Ⅰ~Ⅱ、浸润深度为T1-T2、无淋巴结转移的GC患者(P<0.05)。miR-551b、miR-124a表达与性别、年龄、肿瘤大小无关(P>0.05)。结论 miR-551b、miR-124a在GC患者胃黏膜组织中低表达,且在H.pylori阳性感染患者中低表达,检测miR-551b、miR-124a表达水平可能在H.pylori感染所致胃黏膜组织癌变过程中具有一定预测作用。     

H.pylori对MGs胃黏膜Cx32、Cx43及相关转录因子表达的影响

目的观察幽门螺杆菌(Helicobacter pylori,H.pylori)对蒙古沙土鼠(Mongolian gerbils,MGs)胃黏膜Cx32、Cx43和转录因子GATA-3、AP-4、PBX-1、C/EBPβ表达的影响及其相关性,探讨H.pylori致癌的机制。方法实验组采用经胃镜及病理确诊的胃癌患者胃黏膜分离的H.pylori对36只MGs灌胃,对照组5只用灭菌PBS灌胃;分批处死,观察H.pylori灌胃后第4、24、48、72周MGs H.pylori定植和胃黏膜病变情况,及Cx32、Cx43和转录因子表达变化。结果实验组H.pylori定植率为80.0%,灌胃后第4、24周MGs胃黏膜肉眼见充血水肿或糜烂、出血,HE染色呈不同程度慢性非萎缩性胃炎(NAG),48周后6例肉眼见胃黏膜变薄、颜色灰暗,HE染色4例慢性萎缩性胃炎(CAG)、2例肠化(IM),对照组无H.pylori定植,胃黏膜肉眼及HE染色无明显异常;实验组较对照组MGs胃组织Cx32、Cx43表达显著下降,转录因子GATA-3、AP-4、PBX-1、C/EBPβ表达显著升高(P0.05),其中有胃癌前病变(CAG和IM)者较NAG者改变明显(P0.05);Cx32、Cx43与转录因子表达呈负相关(-1r0,P0.05)。结论 H.pylori感染上调MGs胃黏膜转录因子GATA-3、AP-4、PBX-1和C/EBPβ表达,下调Cx32、Cx43表达,可能与胃癌发生有关。     

胃癌发生不同阶段临床和胃镜表现及与幽门螺杆菌感染的关系

目的观察慢性浅表性胃炎(CSG)→萎缩性胃炎(CAG)→肠上皮化生(IM)→非典型增生(DYS)→胃癌(GC)五个不同阶段临床和胃镜表现及其与幽门螺杆菌(H.pylori)感染的关系。方法对经胃镜及病理证实的上述GC发生五个不同阶段的患者各50例,详细询问其临床症状,记录胃镜下表现,并用快速尿素酶试验(RUT)、14C尿素呼气试验(14C-UBT)、组织学检查及H.pylori培养等方法检测H.pylori感染情况。结果 (1)CSG和GC的临床表现分别以上腹胀和早饱、体重减轻为主,其他阶段均以上腹痛为主;(2)CSG、CAG和GC的胃镜下表现依次以疣状隆起及糜烂、黏膜变薄及血管显露、巨大溃疡及出血为多见,而IM和DYS均以直径小于2 cm的溃疡为多见(P0.05);(3)H.pylori感染:从CSG→GC不同阶段,H.pylori感染率依次降低(分别为80%、78%、62%、56%和36%,P0.05);临床表现中上腹痛及纳差H.pylori感染率高,早饱H.pylori感染率低(P0.05);不同胃镜下表现中溃疡H.pylori感染率最高(P0.05)。结论体重减轻可作为胃癌警示信号,胃镜下巨大溃疡及出血以GC多见;H.pylori感染率与GC发生阶段呈负相关,临床表现为上腹痛、纳差,及胃镜下溃疡患者H.pylori感染率高。     

幽门螺杆菌感染与胃癌共刺激分子OX40和 OX40L表达的相关性

目的研究幽门螺杆菌(H.pylori)感染与胃癌共刺激分子OX40、OX40L表达的相关性。方法收集本院2017年1月至2019年1月进行胃癌手术的68例患者为研究对象。采用Giemsa染色和PCR方法检测胃癌组织H.pylori感染情况。应用免疫组织化学法检测胃癌和癌旁组织中共刺激分子OX40、OX40L的表达,并分析共刺激分子OX40、OX40L表达与胃癌组织H.pylori感染的相关性。分析OX40、OX40L表达与胃癌患者临床病理特征的关系。采用二元Logistic回归分析胃癌组织H.pylori感染的影响因素。结果胃癌组织中OX40、OX40L阳性表达率显著高于癌旁组织(均P0.05);Giemsa染色和PCR检测胃癌组织中H.pylori感染阳性率分别为86.76%(59/68)和91.18%(62/68)。H.pylori阳性胃癌组织中OX40、OX40L阳性表达率显著高于H.pylori阴性胃癌组织(均P0.05)。OX40、OX40L表达与胃癌患者肿瘤浸润深度、分化程度、T分期、淋巴结转移均无显著相关性(均P0.05),而与胃癌肿块大小相关(P0.05)。OX40、OX40L阳性表达是胃癌组织中H.pylori感染的危险因素。结论 H.pylori感染可能与胃癌组织中OX40、OX40L异常表达相关,可为探究H.pylori致癌机制提供一定参考。     

幽门螺杆菌感染者CD4~+ CD25~+调节性T细胞的检测及其相关性分析

目的检测幽门螺杆菌(Helicobacter pylori,H.pylori)感染阳性的胃部疾病患者外周血中CD4+CD25+调节性T细胞(Treg细胞)的百分含量及转化生长因子-β1(transforming growth factor-β1,TGF-β1)的水平,探讨CD4+CD25+调节性T细胞在H.pylori感染中的免疫调节作用及意义。方法采用流式细胞术检测H.pylori感染的慢性浅表性胃炎、胃癌前病变和胃癌患者外周血中CD4+CD25+调节性T细胞的含量、CD4+CD25+T细胞中表达FOXP3的细胞比例;并采用ELISA方法检测H.pylori感染者血清中TGF-β1的含量,无H.pylori感染的患者作为阴性对照。结果 H.pylori感染的患者外周血中CD4+CD25+调节性T细胞的百分含量及TGF-β1的水平较不伴有H.pylori感染的患者显著升高(P<0.05);H.pylori感染的浅表性胃炎、胃癌前病变及胃癌患者外周血中CD4+CD25+T淋巴细胞的百分含量及CD4+CD25+T细胞中表达FOXP3的细胞比例随病变严重程度的进展逐渐升高,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);H.pylori感染的患者血清中TGF-β1水平也随病变严重程度的进展逐渐升高,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论 H.pylori感染可增加CD4+CD25+调节性T细胞的含量和TGF-β1的水平;随着病变严重程度的进展,CD4+CD25+调节性T细胞的含量和TGF-β1的水平逐渐升高,CD4+CD25+调节性T细胞百分含量和TGF-β1水平可作为临床判断病情进展的指标。     

幽门螺杆菌感染促进胃炎儿童胃粘膜细胞的增殖

本研究旨在探讨幽门螺杆菌感染对小儿慢性胃炎患者细胞增殖的影响,使用内镜检查消化不良患者的上消化道症状,使用改良的Giemsa染色检测胃粘膜活组织中幽门螺杆菌,用苏木精/曙红和改良的吉姆萨染色活组织,并通过光学显微镜研究染色后胃粘膜样品组织病理学变化,RT-PCR检测各组胃粘膜细胞中调控细胞凋亡的Bcl-2、Bcl-xl、Bax和PCNA的mRNA表达,提取胃粘膜细胞蛋白质,利用蛋白质免疫印迹分析蛋白质浓度。组织化学染色结果表明,与对照相比,患有胃炎和幽门杆菌感染后的胃炎患者胃粘膜细胞明显增加,且幽门螺杆菌感染后细胞增殖更显著(p<0.05);幽门螺杆菌感染后Bcl-2和Bcl-xl,PCNA在患者体内表达显著上调(p<0.05),而细胞促凋亡因子Bax基因在胃炎患者感染幽门螺杆菌后被显著下调(p<0.05),蛋白免疫印迹分析Bcl-2,Bcl-xl,Bax和PCNA蛋白表达趋势与基因表达一致,说明结果可靠。幽门螺杆菌感染会显著提高慢性胃炎儿童患者胃粘膜细胞的增殖。     

Molecular assessment of c-H-ras p21 expression in Helicobacter pylori-mediated gastric carcinogenesis

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection plays a significant role in causing gastric cancer; the exact molecular mechanisms of gastric carcinogenesis have not yet been fully determined. Therefore, this study was planned to examine the role of c-H-ras p21 expression in H. pylori infection at different stages of disease progression from precursor lesions to gastric carcinoma. This study was carried out in 200 patients, consisting of normal gastric mucosa (n = 20), mucosa with chronic gastritis (n = 63), intestinal metaplasia (n = 20), dysplasia (n = 11), and gastric adenocarcinoma (n = 86), in which the H. pylori status have been analysed. The expression of c-H-ras p21 was studied at mRNA as well as protein level using RT-PCR and western blotting, respectively. The localization of c-H-ras p21 was also studied semiquantitatively by immunohistochemistry. The RT-PCR and western blotting results of c-H-ras p21 mRNA and protein expressions were significantly increased in chronic gastritis, intestinal metaplasia, dysplasia, and gastric adenocarcinoma patients, respectively. Immunohistochemical study also showed the increased expression of c-H-ras p21 in the similar way. Overexpression of c-H-ras p21 might be due to H-ras mutation at codon 12 of ras gene family in H. pylori infection. The rate of expression of ras p21 was higher in the H. pylori-infected precursor lesions, chronic gastritis 49/56 (87.5%), intestinal metaplasia 16/17 (94%), and dysplasia 9/11(82%) whereas in the case of H. pylori negative cases these groups, show 12.5, 5.9, and 18.2%, respectively. The data suggested that H. pylori infection may increase the expression of c-H-ras p21 early in the process of gastric carcinogenesis.     

Effect of Helicobacter pylori infection on the expression of DNA mismatch repair protein

BACKGROUND: Helicobacer pylori infection is a major gastric cancer risk factor. Deficient DNA mismatch repair (MMR) caused by H. pylori may underlie microsatellite instability (MSI) in the gastric epithelium and may represent a major mechanism of mutation accumulation in the gastric mucosa during the early stages of H. pylori-associated gastric carcinogenesis. In this study, we examined the expression of DNA MMR protein (hMLH1 and hMSH2) in patients with chronic H. pylori infection before and after eradication of the infection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Gastric tissue samples were collected from 60 patients with H. pylori gastritis and peptic ulcer disease before and after eradication of the infection. The DNA MMR protein expression (hMLH1 and hMSH2) was determined by immunohistochemical staining in 60 patients before and after H. pylori eradication. The percentage of epithelial cell nuclei and intensity of staining were then compared in gastric biopsies before and after eradication. RESULTS: The percentage of hMLH1 (76.60 +/- 20.27, 84.82 +/- 12.73, p=.01) and hMSH2 (82.36 +/- 12.86, 88.11 +/- 9.27, p<.05) positive epithelial cells significantly increased in 53 patients who became H. pylori-negative after eradication therapy. However, the intensity of hMLH1 and hMSH2 staining was not significantly different. In those 7 patients, who did not respond to the eradication therapy and were still H. pylori-positive, the percent positivity and intensity of hMLH1 and hMSH2 staining did not change. CONCLUSIONS: The expression of DNA MMR proteins increased in the gastric mucosa after H. pylori eradication, indicating that H. pylori gastritis may be associated with a reduced DNA MMR system during infection. The effect of H. pylori infection on MMR protein expression appears to be at least partially reversible after H. pylori eradication. These data suggest that H. pylori gastritis might lead to a deficiency of DNA MMR in gastric epithelium that may increase the risk of mutation accumulation in the gastric mucosa cells during chronic H. pylori infection.     

Effect of Helicobacter pylori infection and eradication on gastric epithelial cell proliferation and apoptosis.

OBJECTIVES: the effect of Helicobacter pylori infection on gastric epithelial cell proliferation and apoptosis is still controversial. Our aim was to evaluate the effect of H. pylori infection on cell kinetic parameters in normal gastric epithelium, gastritis with/without intestinal metaplasia and gastric cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: antral biopsies were taken from 121 patients (61 women, 60 men, mean age 58.5+/-14.3 years of age) who underwent routine gastroscopy for upper gastrointestinal symptoms. Sections were scored for normal epithelia (n=15), gastritis without intestinal metaplasia (n=74), gastritis with intestinal metaplasia (n=24), and gastric adenocarcinoma (n=8). Fifty-two patients had H. pylori positive gastritis, and success of H. pylori eradication therapy was controlled in 12 cases, all with intestinal metaplasia. To characterize cell proliferation and assess apoptosis, immunohistochemistry [Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen (PCNA)], histochemistry [Argyrophil Nucleolar Organizer Regions (AgNOR)], and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT)-mediated deoxyuridinetriphosphate (dUTP) nick end-labeling (TUNEL) were used, respectively. RESULTS: both cell proliferation and apoptosis is was higher in chronic gastritis when compared with normal epithelia, but neither PCNA LI (54.79+/-19.1 vs. 53.20+/-20.7) nor AgNOR counts (291.43+/-44.3 vs. 277.8+/-57.54) were different in H. pylori positive versus negative chronic gastritis. A significant positive correlation (P<0.05) was found in this group between PCNA and AgNOR techniques. Apoptosis was significantly higher (P<0.05) in H. pylori positive cases only when intestinal metaplasia was not present. Cell proliferation in intestinal metaplasia decreased to the activity of normal epithelium after successful eradication of H. pylori but remained high if eradication therapy failed. CONCLUSIONS: epithelial cell proliferation does not depend on H. pylori status in chronic gastritis. H. pylori increases apoptosis only in the absence of intestinal metaplasia.     

Increased cell proliferation in chronic Helicobacter pylori positive gastritis and gastric carcinoma--correlation between immuno-histochemistry and Tv image cytometry.

BACKGOUND: Epithelial cell proliferation activity has been reported both to be unaltered and increased in Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) associated chronic gastritis. The proliferation rate decreased following H. pylori eradication, but results are controversial whether this change is dependent on the success of eradication. We compared the cell proliferation activity of H. pylori positive and negative gastric epithelial biopsies in chronic gastritis with and without intestinal metaplasia (IM) and gastric cancer by the expression of proliferation cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and Tv image cytometry, and assessed the effect of H. pylori eradication on the cell proliferation rate in the gastric epithelium. METHODS: Brush smears and antral biopsies were taken from 70 patients (42 men, 28 women, mean age 58+/-15 y.o.) on routine endoscopy. Patients were divided into four groups according to the histology; normal epithelia (n = 10), chronic gastritis without IM (n = 24), chronic gastritis with IM (n = 20), and gastric carcinoma (n = 16). Thirty-three patients were H. pylori positive, and success of eradication was controlled in 24 cases. Cell proliferation was measured by immunohistochemistry using PCNA labeling index (LI) and by Tv image cytometry evaluating 12 morpho- and densitometric parameters of each nuclei and 6 additional parameters of each smear. RESULTS: PCNA LI, DNA index and S + G2 ratio were all higher in chronic gastritis than in the normal epithelium, and were further increased in carcinoma. The lower PCNA LI observed in chronic gastritis with IM corresponds to the lower S phase ratio determined by Tv image analysis. In H. pylori positive cases, the proliferation activity was 69.3+/-13.05% prior to the eradication and it decreased to 55.8+/-23.31% after the successful eradication therapy. When immunohistochemistry was compared with Tv image cytometry, PCNA LI significantly correlated with the percentage of cells in GL phase (r = -0.415) and S phase (r = 0.385), Integrated Optical Density mean (r = 0.598), density maximum (r'= 0.608), surface (r = 0.670), layers (r = 0.638), diameter minimum (r = 0.619), diameter maximum (r = 0.730) and perimeter (r = 0.501), respectively (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Epithelial cell turnover is increased in chronic gastritis with or without IM, and in gastric carcinoma. The lower PCNA LI observed in chronic gastritis with IM corresponds to the lower S phase ratio determined by Tv image analysis. Cell proliferation decreases after successful H. pylori eradication. Both methods proved to be reliable for the determination of epithelial cell proliferation.     

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.     

Accumulation of 8-nitroguanine in human gastric epithelium induced by Helicobacter pylori infection

Helicobacter pylori infection causes chronic inflammation, which can lead to gastric carcinoma. A double immunofluorescence labeling study demonstrated that the level of 8-nitroguanine and 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-oxodG) apparent in gastric gland epithelium was significantly higher in gastritis patients with H. pylori infection than in those without infection. A significant accumulation of proliferating cell nuclear antigen, a prognostic factor for gastric cancer, was observed in gastric gland epithelial cells in patients with H. pylori infection as compared to those without infection, and its accumulation was closely correlated with the formation of 8-nitroguanine and 8-oxodG. These results suggest that nitrosative and oxidative DNA damage in gastric epithelial cells and their proliferation by H. pylori infection may lead to gastric carcinoma. 8-Nitroguanine could be not only a promising biomarker for inflammation but also a useful indicator of the risk of gastric cancer development in response to chronic H. pylori infection.     

Demonstration and characterization of mutations induced by Helicobacter pylori organisms in gastric epithelial cells

BACKGROUND: Helicobacter pylori gastritis increases gastric cancer risk. Microsatellite instability-type mutations are secondary to deficient DNA mismatch repair. H. pylori gastritis is more frequent in patients with microsatellite instability-positive gastric cancers, and H. pylori organisms independently of inflammation can reduce DNA mismatch repair protein levels, raising the hypothesis that H. pylori organisms might lead to mutagenesis during infection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Mutations were detected using a green fluorescent protein reporter vector (pEGFP-CA13). Gastric cancer AGS cells transfected with pEGFP-CA13 were cocultured with H. pylori or Escherichia coli. The numbers of green fluorescent protein (GFP)-positive cells were determined, and GFP, hMSH2, and hMLH1 protein levels were measured by Western blot. The effect of H. pylori on CpG methylation status of hMLH1 was determined by methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: GFP levels and GFP-positive cell numbers in AGS cells cocultured with H. pylori significantly increased, as the levels of hMLH1 and hMSH2 dropped. H. pylori cocultures induced low-level CpG methylation of the hMLH1 promoter. Sequence analysis of cells cocultured with H. pylori showed an increased number of frameshift mutations and point mutations as compared to cells not cocultured with H. pylori (p = .03 and p = .001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: This is the first report showing that H. pylori bacteria may lead to accumulation of genomic mutations, independently of underlying inflammation. This is associated with reduced DNA mismatch repair, and is at least in part associated with CpG methylation of the hMLH1 promoter. These data support the notion that H. pylori-induced mutations and epigenetic alterations in gastric epithelial cells during chronic gastritis may contribute to an increased risk of gastric cancer associated with H. pylori infection.