Abstract
Gastric mRNA expression of markers for acid secretion and inflammation and presence of gastric ulceration was studied in naturally Helicobacter suis-infected and non-infected 2–3 months old, 6–8 months old and adult pigs. In H. suis-infected 2–3 months old pigs, IL-8 and IL-1β transcript levels were upregulated in the pyloric gland zone, indicating an innate immune response. A similar response was demonstrated in the fundic gland zone of adult pigs, potentially due to a shift of H. suis colonization from the pyloric to the fundic gland zone. A Treg response in combination with decreased expressions of IL-8, IL-17A and IFN-γ was indicated to be present in the H. suis-infected 6–8 months old pigs, which may have contributed to persistence of H. suis. In H. suis-infected adult pigs, a Treg response accompanied by a Th17 response was indicated, which may have played a role in the decreased number of H. suis bacteria in the stomach of this age group. The decreased G-cell mass and upregulated expression of somatostatin indicated decreased acid secretion in H. suis-infected 6–8 months old pigs. In H. suis-infected adult pigs, upregulation of most markers for gastric acid secretion and increased G-cell mass was detected. Presence of severe hyperkeratosis and erosions in the non-glandular part of the stomach were mainly seen in the H. suis-positive groups. These results show that H. suis infection affects the expression of markers for acid secretion and inflammation and indicate that these effects differ depending on the infection phase.
Highlights
Gastric ulceration is a common disease entity of pigs worldwide, with prevalences of up to 93% [1]
It was suggested that this impaired dendritic cell response may elicit the expansion of Treg cells, which may help to establish a chronic infection as Treg cells are immune-suppressive and tolerogenic [20]
A tolerogenic immune response was indicated to be present in this study, since the Treg cell-associated cytokine IL-10 was upregulated in both H. suis-infected 6–8 months old pigs and adult sows
Summary
Gastric ulceration is a common disease entity of pigs worldwide, with prevalences of up to 93% [1]. The disease outcome is often subclinical, animal welfare issues as well as economic losses due to decreased daily weight gain, decreased feed intake and sudden death, are of major importance [1]. Several factors, including diet particle size [2], management [3], gastric microbiota composition, infection with Helicobacter suis [4, 5], and hormonal changes [6] have been hypothesized to be involved. The pathogenesis of porcine gastric ulceration, remains largely unknown [1]. What we do know is that, in contrast to other animal species, in pigs gastric ulcers
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