Helicobacter pylori enhances tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand-mediated apoptosis in human gastric epithelial cells

AIM: To investigate the relations between tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) and Helicobacter pylori (H pylori) infection in apoptosis of gastric epithelial cells and to assess the expression of TRAIL on the surface of infiltrating T-cells in H pylori-infected gastric mucosa. METHODS: Human gastric epithelial cell lines and primary gastric epithelial cells were co-cultured with H pylori in vitro, then recombinant TRAIL proteins were added to the culture. Apoptosis of gastric epithelial cells was determined by a specific ELISA for cell death. Infiltrating lymphocytes were isolated from H pylori-infected gastric mucosa, and expression of TRAIL in T cells was analyzed by flow cytometry. RESULTS: The apoptosis of gastric epithelial cell lines and primary human gastric epithelial cells was mildly increased by interaction with either TRAIL or H pylori alone. Interestingly, the apoptotic indices were markedly elevated when gastric epithelial cells were incubated with both TRAIL and H pylori (Control vs TRAIL and H pylori: 0.51+/-0.06 vs 2.29+/-0.27, P = 0.018). A soluble TRAIL receptor (DR4-Fc) could specifically block the TRAIL-mediated apoptosis. Further studies demonstrated that infiltrating T-cells in gastric mucosa expressed TRAIL on their surfaces, and the induction of TRAIL sensitivity by H pylori was dependent upon direct cell contact of viable bacteria, but not CagA and VacA of H pylori. CONCLUSION: H pylori can sensitize human gastric epithelial cells and enhance susceptibility to TRAIL-mediated apoptosis. Modulation of host cell sensitivity to apoptosis by bacterial interaction adds a new dimension to the immunopathogenesis of H pylori infection.     

Effect of Helicobacter pylori infection on expression of Bcl-2 family members in gastric adenocarcinoma

AIM: To investigate the effect of Helicobacter pylori (H pylori) infection on the expressions of Bcl-2 family members in gastric adenocarcinoma. METHODS: Gastric adenocarcinoma and resection margin tissues of 95 patients were studied. Semi-quantitative RT-PCR was used to measure Bid, Bax and Bcl-2 mRNA expressions. RESULTS: Expressions of Bid and Bax in gastric adenocarcinoma tissues without H pylori infection, with cagA- H pylori infection and cagA+ H pylori infection increased significantly in turn (Bid, 0.304, 0.422 and 0.855 respectively, P<0.05; Bax, 0.309, 0.650 and 0.979 respectively, P<0.05). Bcl-2 mRNA levels increased significantly in gastric adenocarcinoma tissues with cagA- H pylori infection and cagA+ H pylori infection, compared with those without H pylori infection (0.696 and 0.849 vs 0.411, P<0.05). Expressions of Bid, Bax and Bcl-2 in resection margin tissues without H pylori infection, with cagA- H pylori infection and cagA+ H pylori infection increased significantly in turn (Bid, 0.377, 0.686 and 0.939 respectively, P<0.05; Bax, 0.353, 0.645 and 1.001 respectively, P<0.05; Bcl-2, 0.371, 0.487 and 0.619 respectively, P<0.05). In H pylori negative specimens, expressions of Bid and Bax correlated negatively with that of Bcl-2 respectively in adenocarcinoma tissues (Bid vs Bcl-2, r=-0.409, P<0.05; Bax vs Bcl-2, r=-0.451, P<0.05). In H pylori positive specimens, expressions of Bid and Bax did not correlate with that of Bcl-2 in adenocarcinoma tissues (Bid vs Bcl-2, r=0.187, P>0.05; Bax vs Bcl-2, r=0.201, P>0.05), but correlated positively with that of Bcl-2 respectively in resection margin tissues (Bid vs Bcl-2, r=0.331, P<0.05; Bax vs Bcl-2, r=0.295, P<0.05). CONCLUSION: H pylori may enhance Bid, Bax and Bcl-2 mRNA levels and cause deregulation of these apoptosis-associated genes expressions, which may play a role during development of gastric adenocarcinoma induced by H pylori.     

Apoptosis, proliferation and p53 gene expression of H. pylori associated gastric epithelial lesions

AIM:To study the relationship between Helicobacter pylori(H.pylori)and gaatric carcinoma and its possiblepathogenesis by H.pylori.METHODS:DNEL technique and immunohistochemicaltechnique were used to study the state of apoptosis,proliferation and p53 gone expression.A total of 100 gastricmucosal biopsy specimens,including 20 normal mucosa,30H.pylori-negative and 30 H.pylori-positive gastricprecancerous lesions along with 20 gastric carcinomas werestudied.RESULTS:There were several apoptotic cells in thesuperficial epithelium and a few proliferative cells within theneck of gestric glands,and no p53 protein expression innormal mucosa.In gestric carcinoma,there ware fewapoptotic cells,while there were a large number ofproliferative cells,and expression of p53 proteinsignificantly was increased.In the phase of metaplasia,theapoptotic index(Al,4.36%±1.95%),proliferative index(Pl,19.11%±6.79%)and positivity of p53 expression(46.7%)in H.pylori-positive group ware higher than thosein normal mucosa(P<0.01).Al in H.pylori-positive groupwas higher than that in H.pylori-negative group(3.81%±1.76%),Pl in H.pylori-positive group was higher than thatin H.pylori-negative group(12.23%±5.63%,P<0.01).Inthe phase of dysplasia,Al(2.31%±1.10%) in H.pylori-positive group was lower(3.05%±1.29%)than that in H.pylori-negative group,but Pl(33.89%±11.65%)wassignificantly higher(22.09±8018%,P<0.01).In phases ofmetaplasia,dysplasia and gastric cancer in the H.pylori-positive group,Als had an evidently greduall decreasingtrend(P<0.01),while Pls had an evidently gradualincreasing trend(P<0.05 or P<0.01),and there was alsoa trend of gradual increase in the expression of p53 gone.CONCLUSION:In the course of the formation of gastriccarcinoma,proliferation of gastric mucosa can be greatlyIncreased by H.pylori,and H.pylori can induce apoptosisin the phase of metaplasia,but in the phase of dysplesia H.pylorl can inhibit cellular apptosis.And H.pylori infectioncan strengthen the expression of mutated p53 gene.     

Tributyrin inhibits human gastric cancer SGC-7901 cell growth by inducing apoptosis and DNA synthesis arrest

AIM: To evaluate the effects of tributyrin, a pro-drug of natural butyrate and a neutral short-chain fatty acid triglyceride, on the growth inhibition of human gastric cancer SGC-7901 cell. METHODS: Human gastric cancer SGC-7901 cells were exposed to tributyrin at 0.5, 1, 2, 5, 10 and 50 mmol/L(-1) for 24-72 h. MTT assay was applied to detect the cell proliferation. [(3)H]-TdR uptake was measured to determine DNA synthesis. Apoptotic morphology was observed by electron microscopy and Hoechst-33258 staining. Flow cytometry and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay were performed to detect tributyrin-triggered apoptosis. The expressions of PARP, Bcl-2 and Bax were examined by Western blot assay. RESULTS: Tributyrin could initiate growth inhibition of SGC-7901 cell in a dose- and time-dependent manner. [(3)H]-TdR uptake by SGC-7901 cells was reduced to 33.6 % after 48 h treatment with 2 mmol/L(-1) tributyrin, compared with the control (P<0.05). Apoptotic morphology was detected by TUNEL assay. Flow cytometry revealed that tributyrin could induce apoptosis of SGC-7901 cells in dose-dependent manner. After 48 hours incubation with tributyrin at 2 mmol/L(-1), the level of Bcl-2 protein was lowered, and the level of Bax protein was increased in SGC-7901, accompanied by PARP cleavage. CONCLUSION: Tributyrin could inhibit the growth of gastric cancer cells effectively in vitro by inhibiting DNA synthesis and inducing apoptosis, which was associated with the down-regulated Bcl-2 expression and the up-regulated Bax expression. Therefore, tributyrin might be a promising chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic agent against human gastric carcinogenesis.     

Tributyrin inhibits human gastric cancer SGC-7901 cell growth by inducing apoptosis and DNA synthesis arrest

AIM: To evaluate the effects of tributyrin, a pro-drug of natural butyrate and a neutral short-chain fatty acid triglyceride, on the growth inhibition of human gastric cancer SGC-7901 cell.METHODS: Human gastric cancer SGC-7901 cells were 24-72 h. MTT assay was applied to detect the cell proliferation.[3H]-TdR uptake was measured to determine DNA synthesis.Apoptotic morphology was observed by electron microscopy and Hoechst-33258 staining. Flow cytometry and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay were performed to detect tributyrin-triggered apoptosis. The expressions of PARP, Bcl-2 and Bax were examined by Western blot assay.RESULTS: Tributyrin could initiate growth inhibition of SGC7901 cell in a dose- and time-dependent manner. [3H]-TdR uptake by SGC-7901 cells was reduced to 33.6% after 48 h control (P＜0.05). Apoptotic morphology was detected by TUNEL assay. Flow cytometry revealed that tributyrin could induce apoptosis of SGC-7901 cells in dose-dependent manner. After 48 hours incubation with tributyrin at 2 mmol.L-1, the level of Bcl-2 protein was lowered, and the level of Bax protein was increased in SGC-7901, accompanied by PARP cleavage.CONCLUSION: Tributyrin could inhibit the growth of gastric cancer cells effectively in vitro by inhibiting DNA synthesis and inducing apoptosis, which was associated with the downregulated Bcl-2 expression and the up-regulated Bax expression. Therefore, tributyrin might be a promising chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic agent against human gastric carcinogenesis.     

Induction of apoptosis of human gastric carcinoma SGC-7901 cell line by 5, 7-dihydroxy-8-nitrochrysin in vitro

AIM： To investigate the effect of 5, 7-dihydroxy-8- nitrochrysin （NOChR） on apoptosis of human gastric carcinoma SGC-7901 cell line.
METHODS： SGC-7901 cells were cultured in vitro and the inhibitory effect of NOChR on proliferation of SGC-7901 cells was measured by using an Ml-r assay. NOChR-induced apoptosis rate of SGC-7901 cells was detected using flow cytometry （FCM） with PI staining. DNA ladder bands were observed by DNA agarose gel electrophoresis. The influence of NOChR on the proxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ （PPARγ）, Bcl-2 and Bax protein expression of SGC-7901 cells was analyzed by Western blot.
RESULTS： MIF assay showed that NOChR markedly inhibited proliferation of SGC-7901 cells in a dose- dependent manner, and when ICso was 4.14 μmol/L, the potency of NOChR was 10 times than that of lead compound, chrysin （ChR, IC50 was 40.56 μmol/L）, and was similar to 5-fluorouracil （5-FU, IC50 was 4.51 μmol/L）. FCM with propidium iodide （PI） staining demonstrated that the apoptosis rates of SGC-7901 cells treated with 1.25, 5.00 and 20.00 μmol/L NOChR for 48 h were 9.8% 4- 0.2%, 36.8% 4- 1.9% and 45.5% 4- 3.5%, respectively, and were significantly higher when treated with 5.00 and 20.00 μmol/L NOChR than that with 20.00 μmol/L ChR （12.9% 4- 1.5%）. DNA agarose gel electrophoresis showed that treatment of SGC-7901 cells with 20.00 μmol/L NOChR for 48 h resulted in typical DNA ladder bands of DNA of SGC-7901 cells, which could be eliminated by treating with 10.00 μmol/L GW9662, a blocker of PPARy. Western blot analysis revealed that after 24 h of treatment with 20.00 μmol/L NOChR, PPARgamma and Bax protein expression of SGC-7901 cells increased but Bcl-2 expression decreased; however, pre-incubation with 10.00 μmol/L GW9662 could efficiently antagonize and weaken the regulatory effect of 20.00 μmol/L NOChR on Bax and Bcl-2 protein expression of SGC-7901 cells.
CONCLUSION： NOChR induces apoptosis of SGO7901 cell lines by activating PPARy and decreasing ra     

Effects of Helicobacter pylori infection on gastric epithelial cell kinetics in patients with chronic renal failure

AIM: To evaluate the effects of Helicobacter pylori infection on gastric epithelial cell kinetics in patients with chronic renal failure (CRF). METHODS: Forty-four patients were enrolled in this study and divided into four groups with respect to their Helicobacter pylori (H pylori) and CRF status. Groups were labeled as follows: la: normal renal function, H pylori negative (n=12), 1b: normal renal function, H pylori positive (n=11), 2a: CRF, H pylori negative (n=10), 2b: CRF, H pylori positive (n=11). Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy was done in all the patients involved in the study. During endoscopical investigation, antral biopsy specimens were taken from each patient. In order to evaluate the cell apoptosis and proliferation in gastric epithelial cells, Bax and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) labeling indexes (LI) were assessed with immunohistochemical staining method. RESULTS: For groups 1a, 1b, 2a, and 2b, mean Bax LI was identified as 34.4±13.7, 44.1±16.5, 46.3±20.5, 60.7±13.8, respectively and mean PCNA LI was identified as 36.2±17.2, 53.6±25.6, 59.5±25.6, 67.2±22, respectively. When the one-way ANOVA test was applied, statistically significant differences were detected between the groups for both Bax LI (P=0.004 <0.01) and PCNA LI (P=0.009<0.01). When groups were compared further in terms of Bax LI and PCNA LI with Tukey's HSD test for multiple pairwise comparisons, statistically significant difference was observed only between groups 1a and 2b (P=0.006<0.01). CONCLUSION: In gastric epithelial cells, expression of both the pre-apoptotic protein Bax and the proliferation marker PCNA increase with H pylori infection. This increase is more evident in patients with uremia. These findings suggest that uremia accelerates apoptosis and proliferation in gastric epithelial cells.     

NF-κB and ERK-signaling pathways contribute to the gene expression induced by cag PAI-positive- Helicobacterpy/oriinfection

AIM: To elucidate the sequential gene expression profile in AGS cells co-cultured with wild-type Helicobacter pylori (H pylori) as a model of H pylori-infected gastric epithelium, and to further examine the contribution of cag-pathogenicity islands (cagPAI)-coding type IV secretion system and the two pathways, nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappaB) and extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK) on wild-type H pylori-induced gene expression. METHODS: Gene expression profiles induced by H pylori were evaluated in AGS gastric epithelial cells using cDNA microarray, which were present in the 4 600 independent clones picked up from the human gastric tissue. We also analyzed the contribution of NF-kappaB and ERK signaling on H pylori-induced gene expression by using inhibitors of specific signal pathways. The isogenic mutant with disrupted cagE (Delta cagE) was used to elucidate the role of cagPAI-encoding type IV secretion system in the gene expression profile. RESULTS: According to the expression profile, the genes were classified into four clusters. Among them, the clusters characterized by continuous upregulation were most conspicuous, and it contained many signal transducer activity-associated genes. The role of cagPAI on cultured cells was also investigated using isogenic mutant cagE, which carries non-functional cagPAI. Then the upregulation of more than 80% of the induced genes (476/566) was found to depend on cagPAI. Signal transducer pathway through NF-kappaB or ERK are the major pathways which are known to be activated by cagPAI-positive H pylori. The role of these pathways in the whole signal activation by cagPAI-positive H pylori was analyzed. The specific inhibitors against NF-kappaB or ERK pathway blocked the activation of gene expression in 65% (367/566) or 76% (429/566) of the genes whose activation appealed to depend on cagPAI. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that more than half of the genes induced by cagPAI-positive H pylori depend on NF-kappaB and ERK signaling activation, and these pathways may play a role in the gene expression induced by host-bacterial interaction which may associate with H pylori-related gastro-duodenal diseases.     

线粒体内膜蛋白ANT在幽门螺杆菌致胃癌细胞凋亡中的表达

目的观察H．pylori作用于胃癌细胞后线粒体内膜蛋白ANT1、ANT2和ANT3mRNA的表达变化,探讨胁pytori致胃癌细胞凋亡的分子机制。方法H．pylori分别作用于胃癌细胞0、12、24、48h后收集细胞,提取RNA,应用RT-PCR检测各时相点ANT1、ANT2和ANT3mRNA表达的变化。结果H．priori与胃癌细胞共培养12h后,ANT1和ANT3mRNA的表达增加,24h增加更明显,48h达到高峰。各时相点的表达量明显高于0h（P〈0．05）。ANT2的表达较弱,与0h相比无明显差异（P〉0．05）。结论口．pylori可能通过影响线粒体内膜蛋白ANTmRNA的表达,改变线粒体膜通透性,诱发细胞凋亡。     

Effects of cyclooxygenase-1 and -2 gene disruption on Helicobacter pylori-induced gastric inflammation

BACKGROUND: Cyclooxygenases (COXs) play important roles in inflammation and carcinogenesis. The present study aimed to determine the effects of COX-1 and COX-2 gene disruption on Helicobacter pylori-induced gastric inflammation. METHODS: Wild-type (WT), COX-1 and COX-2 heterozygous (COX-1+/- and COX-2+/-), and homozygous COX-deficient (COX-1-/- and COX-2-/-) mice were inoculated with H. pylori strain TN2 and killed after 24 weeks of infection. Uninfected WT and COX-deficient mice were used as controls. Levels of gastric mucosal inflammation, epithelial cell proliferation and apoptosis, and cytokine expression were determined. RESULTS: COX deficiency facilitated H. pylori-induced gastritis. In the presence of H. pylori infection, apoptosis was increased in both WT and COX-deficient mice, whereas cell proliferation was increased in WT and COX-1-deficient, but not in COX-2-deficient, mice. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and interleukin-10 mRNA expression was elevated in H. pylori-infected mice, but only TNF-alpha mRNA expression was further increased by COX deficiency. Prostaglandin E2 levels were increased in infected WT and COX-2-deficient mice but were at very low levels in infected COX-1-deficient mice. Leukotriene (LT) B4 and LTC4 levels were increased to a similar extent in infected WT and COX-deficient mice. CONCLUSIONS: COX deficiency enhances H. pylori-induced gastritis, probably via TNF-alpha expression. COX-2, but not COX-1, deficiency suppresses H. pylori-induced cell proliferation.     

Increase in apoptosis and decrease in ornithine decarboxylase activity of the gastric mucosa in patients with atrophic gastritis and gastric ulcer after successful eradication of Helicobacter pylori

OBJECTIVE: Recent reports have shown that patients infected with Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) have a higher risk of gastric cancer. However, the mechanism of this increased risk is still unclear. In the gastric mucosa, the size of a continuously renewed population of cells is determined by the rates of cell production and of cell loss. Ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) activity is elevated in various gastrointestinal cancers and serves as a marker of mucosal proliferative activity. Apoptosis occurs throughout the gut and is associated with cell loss. Both cell proliferation and cell loss have important roles in H. pylori-associated gastric carcinogenesis. Therefore, we investigated the effect of H. pylori eradication on ODC activity and apoptosis in the gastric mucosa of patients with atrophic gastritis and gastric ulcers. METHODS: Biopsy specimens of the gastric antrum were obtained at endoscopy from 17 H. pylori-positive gastric ulcers patients and 15 H. pylori-positive gastritis patients before and 4 wk after eradication therapy with amoxicillin, omeprazole, and a new anti-ulcer agent, ecabet sodium, and from 10 gastric ulcer patients in whom ulcer healed but H. pylori was left untreated. ODC activity and induction of apoptosis were determined immunohistochemically. RESULTS: H. pylori was successfully eradicated with the triple therapy in 12 (80%) of 15 gastritis patients and 13 (76%) of 17 gastric ulcer patients. ODC activity was present in the gastric mucosa in 21 (84%) patients before eradication but in only four (16%) patients after successful eradication (p = 0.0005). The apoptotic index increased significantly (p = 0.0006) from 4.2% +/- 0.4% before treatment to 7.4% +/- 0.5% after successful eradication. CONCLUSIONS: Successful eradication of H. pylori decreases mucosal ODC activity and increases apoptosis in the gastric mucosa. These findings indicate that by decreasing mucosal cell proliferation and increasing epithelial cell loss, H. pylori eradication may help decrease the subsequent risk of gastric cancer.     

NF-κB and ERK-signaling pathways contribute to the gene expression induced by cag PAI-positive- Helicobacter pylori infection

AIM: To elucidate the sequential gene expression profile in AGS cells co-cultured with wild-type Helicobacter pylori(H pylori) as a model of H pylori-infected gastric epithelium,and to further examine the contribution of cag-pathogenicity islands (cagPAI)-coding type Ⅳ secretion system and the two pathways, nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK) on wild-type H pylori-induced gene expression.METHODS: Gene expression profiles induced by H pylori were evaluated in AGS gastric epithelial cells using cDNA microarray, which were present in the 4 600 independent clones picked up from the human gastric tissue. We also analyzed the contribution of NF-κB and ERK signaling on H pylori-induced gene expression by using inhibitors of specific signal pathways. The isogenic mutant with disrupted cagE (△cagE) was used to elucidate the role of cagPAI-encoding type Ⅳ secretion system in the gene expression profile.RESULTS: According to the expression profile, the genes were classified into four clusters. Among them, the clusters characterized by continuous upregulation were most conspicuous, and it contained many signal transducer activity-associated genes. The role of cagPAI on cultured cells was also investigated using isogenic mutant cagE,which carries non-functional cagPAI. Then the upregulation of more than 80% of the induced genes (476/566) was found to depend on cagPAI. Signal transducer pathway through NF-κB or ERK are the major pathways which are known to be activated by cagPAI-positive H pylori. The role of these pathways in the whole signal activation by cagPAIpositive H pylori was analyzed. The specific inhibitors against NF-κB or ERK pathway blocked the activation of gene expression in 65% (367/566) or 76% (429/566) of the genes whose activation appealed to depend on cagPAI.CONCLUSION: These results suggest that more than half of the genes induced by cagPAI-positive H pylori depend on NF-κB and ERK signaling activation, and these pathways may play a role in the gene expression induced by hostbacterial interaction which may associate with H pylorirelated gastro-duodenal diseases.     

Bax translocation and mitochondrial fragmentation induced by Helicobacter pylori

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Previous in vitro and in vivo studies have revealed an association between Helicobacter pylori infection and apoptosis in gastric epithelial cells. Although involvement of the Bcl-2 family of proteins as well as cytochrome c release has been demonstrated in H pylori induced cell death, the exact role of the mitochondria during this type of programmed cell death has not been fully elucidated. Therefore, we sought to determine whether or not Bax translocation and mitochondrial fragmentation occur on exposure of gastric epithelial cells to H pylori, resulting in cell death. METHODS: Experiments were performed with human gastric adenocarcinoma (AGS) cells, AGS cells transfected with the HPV-E6 gene (which inactivates p53 function), AGS-neo cells (transfected with the backbone construct), mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs), and p19(ARF) null (ARF(-/-)) MEFs. Cells were incubated with a cag positive H pylori strain for up to 24 hours, lysed, and cytoplasmic and mitochondrial membrane fractions were analysed by western blot for Bax translocation. RESULTS: Bax translocation was detected in AGS, AGS-neo, and normal MEF cells after exposure to H pylori for three hours, but not in ARF(-/-) MEFs cells. Translocation of Bax after H pylori incubation was also detected in AGS-E6 cells (inactive p53 gene) but to a lesser degree than in AGS-neo cells. In parallel studies, the mitochondrial morphology of living cells infected with H pylori was assessed by confocal microscopy. Mitochondrial fragmentation was detectable after 10 hours of H pylori incubation with AGS cells and after seven hours with MEF cells. In wild-type MEFs, mitochondrial fragmentation was significantly increased in comparison with ARF null MEFs (43% v 10.4%, respectively). Furthermore, mitochondrial depolarisation and caspase-3 activity were initiated within four hours in cells incubated with H pylori, and these events were inhibited by forced expression of Bcl-2. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that during H pylori induced apoptosis, Bax translocates to the mitochondria which subsequently undergo depolarisation and profound fragmentation. Functional ARF and p53 proteins may play an important role in H pylori induced mitochondrial modification.     

Effect of Helicobacter pylori infection on Bax protein expression in patients with gastric precancerous lesions

AIM: To investigate the effect of Helicobacter pylori (H pylori) infection on Bax protein expression, and explore the role of H pylori in gastric carcinogenesis. METHODS: H pylori was assessed by rapid urease test and Warthin-Starry method, and expression of Bax protein was examined immunohistochemically in 72 patients with pre-malignant lesions. RESULTS: Bax protein was differently expressed in intestinal metaplasia and gastric dysplasia, and showed 63.99% positivity. The positivity of Bax protein expression in Hpylori-positive gastric precancerous lesions (72.3%) was significantly higher than that in H pylori-negative gastric precancerous lesions (48.0%, X~2=4.191, P<0.05). H pylori infection was well correlated with the expression of Bax protein in gastric precancerous lesions (r=0.978, P<0.01). After eradication of H pylori, the positivity of Bax protein expression significantly decreased in H pylort-positive gastric precancerous lesions (X~2=5.506, P<0.05). In the persisting H pylori-infected patients, the positivity of Bax protein expression was not changed. CONCLUSION: H pylori infection may be involved in the upregulation of Bax gene, which might be one of the mechanisms of H pylori infection-induced gastric epithelial cell apoptosis. H pylori might act as a tumor promoter in the genesis of gastric carcinoma and eradication of H pylori could inhibit gastric carcinogenesis.     

Apoptosis in gastric epithelium induced by Helicobacter pylori infection: implications in gastric carcinogenesis

OBJECTIVES: Helicobacter pylori is an identified carcinogen for gastric cancer, however, the underlying mechanisms remain to be defined. In this review, we sought to elucidate the role of apoptosis in gastric carcinogenesis, to determine the influence of H. pylori infection on apoptosis, and finally to provide insights into the mechanisms by which H. pylori may lead to gastric carcinogenesis. METHODS: A broad-based MEDLINE and Current Contents literature search was performed to identify relevant publications between 1966 and March 2000 addressing H. pylori infection, apoptosis, cell proliferation, gastric carcinoma, oncogenes, and tumor suppressor genes, as well as the products of these genes. Abstracts from recent major conferences that provided adequate additional data were also included. RESULTS: Apoptotic cells are rare in the glandular neck region (the generative cell zone) of normal gastric mucosa. With progression of atrophic gastritis, the generative cell zone shifts downward and a relatively large number of apoptotic cells occur. In intestinalized glands, both apoptotic cells and proliferative cells are present in deeper portions of the glands, corresponding to the generative zone. A higher frequency of apoptosis has been observed in gastric dysplasia than in coexisting gastric carcinomas, whereas the number of proliferative cells is significantly higher in gastric carcinoma than in dysplasia. Upregulation of oncogene bcl-2 in premalignant lesions and "downregulation" of the gene after malignant change is probably a common event. Accumulation of p53 protein is first detected in dysplasia, although mutation of the pS3 gene may occur in intestinal metaplasia. H. pylori infection induces apoptosis in gastric epithelial cells, which returns to normal after eradication of the infection. Numerous molecules produced by H. pylori including cytotoxin (VacA), lipopolysaccharide, monochloramine, and nitric oxide may directly induce apoptosis. Moreover, H. pylori-stimulated host inflammatory/immune responses lead to release of a large amount of cytokines. Cytokines produced by type 1 T helper cells, such as TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma, markedly potentiate apoptosis. Gastric cell proliferation is significantly higher in patients with H. pylori infection than in normal controls, and eradication of the infection leads to a reduction in cell proliferation. Apoptosis and cell proliferation are also increased in precancerous lesions such as gastric atrophy, intestinal metaplasia, and dysplasia in the presence of H. pylori infection. However, H. pylori-induced apoptosis may no longer be cell cycle-dependent in these lesions because of the occurrence of alterations and mutations of apoptosis-regulating genes, resulting in a loss of balance between apoptosis and cell proliferation. CONCLUSIONS: It is hypothesized that H. pylori-induced apoptosis may play a key role in gastric carcinogenesis by increasing cell proliferation and/or resulting in gastric atrophy.     

Inhibitory effects of apigenin on the growth of gastric carcinoma SGC-7901 cells

AIM: To explore the growth inhibition and apoptosis-inducing effect of apigenin on human gastric carcinoma SGC-7901 cells. METHODS: The effects of apigenin on the growth, clone formation and proliferation of human gastric carcinoma SGC-7901 cells were observed by MTT, clone-forming assay, and morphological observation. Fluorescent staining and flow cytometry analysis were used to detect apoptosis of cells. RESULTS: Apigenin obviously inhibited the growth, clone formation and proliferation of SGC-7901 cells in a dosedependent manner. Inhibition of growth was observed on d 1 at the concentration of 80 μmol/L, while after 4 d, the inhibition rate (IR) was 90%. The growth IRs at the concentration of 20, 40, and 80 μmol/L were 38%, 71%, and 99% respectively on the 7~(th) d. After the cells were treated with apigenin for 48 h, the number of clone-forming in control, 20, 40, and 80 μmol/L groups was 217±16.9, 170±11.1 (P<0.05), 98±11.1(P<0.05), and 25±3.5 (P<0.05) respectively. Typical morphological changes of apoptosis was found by fluorescent staining. The cell nuclei had lost its smooth boundaries, chromatin was condensed, and cell nuclei were broken. Flow cytometry detected typical apoptosis peak. After the cells were treated with apigenin for 48 h, the apoptosis rates were 5.76%, 19.17%, and 29.30% respectively in 20, 40, and 80 μmol/L groups. CONCLUSION: Apigenin shows obvious inhibition on the growth and clone formation of SGC-7901 cells by inducing apoptosis.     

Suppression of Helicobacter pylori-induced interleukin-8 production in gastric cancer cell lines by an anti-ulcer drug,geranylgeranylacetone

BACKGROUND: Geranylgeranylacetone (GGA) is an antigastritis and anti-ulcer agent, with as yet an unknown mechanism of action. In this study, we investigated the effect of GGA on Helicobacter pylori-induced interleukin (IL)-8 production and IL-8 mRNA expression in KATOIII cells, an established gastric cell line. METHODS: Interleukin-8 production in H. pylori-infected KATOIII cells was measured by using enzyme-linked immunoassay. The cytotoxicity of H. pylori on KATOIII cells was measured by a 51Cr release assay. The effect of GGA on H. pylori-induced IL-8 mRNA expression was measured by using northern blotting. RESULTS: Interleukin-8 production increased with time and H. pylori dose; the most significant increase was seen within 6-24 h of coculture with H. pylori. A dose of 0.1 mmol GGA suppressed IL-8 production (P = 0.0077) and inhibited H. pylori-induced IL-8 mRNA expression (P = 0.0019). Furthermore, H. pylori-induced gastric mucosal cell injury associated with IL-8 and neutrophil activation was enhanced by NH3, and this enhancement was suppressed by GGA (P = 0.0043). CONCLUSIONS: Helicobacter pylori-infected gastric mucosal cells produce IL-8, which can promote neutrophil activation, thus contributing to mucosal tissue injury associated with H. pylori infection. Agents like GGA, which can suppress IL-8 production may have a protective role in the treatment of mucosal tissue damage seen in H. pylori infection.     

不同疾病来源的幽门螺杆菌菌株对AGS细胞动力学的影响

体内外研究发现，幽门螺杆菌(H.pylori)感染可促进胃黏膜上皮细胞增殖或触发细胞凋亡，从而引起细胞动力学改变，而菌株的差异可导致不同的结果。目的：通过体外实验观察不同疾病来源的H.pylori菌株对人胃癌细胞株AGS的细胞活力、细胞凋亡和细胞周期的影响，以确定不同疾病来源H.pylori菌株的细胞毒性是否存在差异。方法：采用聚合酶链反应(PCR)鉴定分离自胃癌和胃炎患者的H.pylori菌株的毒力基因和相关亚型。将AGS细胞分别与H.pylori菌株共培养，采用四唑蓝(MTT)比色法检测细胞活力，流式细胞仪检测细胞凋亡和细胞周期。结果：cagA、uacA、iceA和babA2基因和相关亚型在胃癌和胃炎H.pylori菌株中呈均匀分布。不同菌株抑制AGS细胞活力和促进细胞凋亡的能力虽有强弱差别，但胃癌菌株与胃炎菌株之间不存在整体上的差别。多数H.pylori菌株能抑制AGS细胞周期的G1/S期转换。结论：不同H．pytori菌株对共培养的AGS细胞动力学的影响存在差异，但胃癌菌株与胃炎菌株的细胞毒性无整体上的差别。