Pylori-induced NF-κB Activation Research Articles

Ornithine Decarboxylase in Gastric Epithelial Cells Promotes the Immunopathogenesis of Helicobacter pylori Infection.

Colonization by Helicobacter pylori is associated with gastric diseases, ranging from superficial gastritis to more severe pathologies, including intestinal metaplasia and adenocarcinoma. The interplay of the host response and the pathogen affect the outcome of disease. One major component of the mucosal response to H. pylori is the activation of a strong but inefficient immune response that fails to control the infection and frequently causes tissue damage. We have shown that polyamines can regulate H. pylori-induced inflammation. Chemical inhibition of ornithine decarboxylase (ODC), which generates the polyamine putrescine from l-ornithine, reduces gastritis in mice and adenocarcinoma incidence in gerbils infected with H. pylori However, we have also demonstrated that Odc deletion in myeloid cells enhances M1 macrophage activation and gastritis. Here we used a genetic approach to assess the specific role of gastric epithelial ODC during H. pylori infection. Specific deletion of the gene encoding for ODC in gastric epithelial cells reduces gastritis, attenuates epithelial proliferation, alters the metabolome, and downregulates the expression of immune mediators induced by H. pylori Inhibition of ODC activity or ODC knockdown in human gastric epithelial cells dampens H. pylori-induced NF-κB activation, CXCL8 mRNA expression, and IL-8 production. Chronic inflammation is a major risk factor for the progression to more severe pathologies associated with H. pylori infection, and we now show that epithelial ODC plays an important role in mediating this inflammatory response.

The Role of a Dipeptide Transporter in the Virulence of Human Pathogen, Helicobacter pylori.

Helicobacter pylori harbors a dipeptide (Dpp) transporter consisting of a substrate-binding protein (DppA), two permeases (DppB and C), and two ATPases (DppD and F). The Dpp transporter is responsible for the transportation of dipeptides and short peptides. We found that its expression is important for the growth of H. pylori. To understand the role of the Dpp transporter in the pathogenesis of H. pylori, the expression of virulence factors and H. pylori-induced IL-8 production were investigated in H. pylori wild-type and isogenic H. pylori Dpp transporter mutants. We found that expression of CagA was downregulated, while expression of type 4 secretion system (T4SS) components was upregulated in Dpp transporter mutants. The DppA mutant strain expressed higher levels of outer membrane proteins (OMPs), including BabA, HopZ, OipA, and SabA, and showed a higher adhesion level to gastric epithelial AGS cells compared with the H. pylori 26695 wild-type strain. After infection of AGS cells, H. pylori ΔdppA induced a higher level of NF-κB activation and IL-8 production compared with wild-type. These results suggested that in addition to supporting the growth of H. pylori, the Dpp transporter causes bacteria to alter the expression of virulence factors and reduces H. pylori-induced NF-κB activation and IL-8 production in gastric epithelial cells.

Helicobacter pylori Induces a Novel NF-kB/LIN28A/let-7a/hTERT Axis to Promote Gastric Carcinogenesis

Reactivated telomerase is a crucial event in the development and progression of a variety of tumors. However, how telomerase is activated in gastric carcinogenesis has not been fully uncovered yet. Here, we identified a key role of the NF-κB/LIN28A/let-7a axis to promote human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) expression for gastric cancer initiation. Mechanistically, LIN28A expression was upregulated by H. pylori-induced NF-κB activation. And LIN28A, in turn, suppressed let-7a expression, forming the NF-κB/LIN28A/let-7a axis to regulate gene expression upon H. pylori infection. Of note, we first discovered hTERT as a direct target of let-7a, which inhibited hTERT expression by binding to its 3'UTR of mRNA. Therefore, H. pylori-triggered let-7a downregulation enhanced hTERT protein translation, resulting in telomerase reactivation. Furthermore, hTERT enhanced LIN28A expression, forming the positive feedback regulation between hTERT and NF-κB/LIN28A/let-7a axis to maintain the sustained overexpression of hTERT in gastric cancer. IMPLICATIONS: The NF-κB/LIN28A/Let-7a axis was crucial for the overexpression of hTERT upon H. pylori infection during gastric cancer development and may serve as a potential target to suppress hTERT expression for gastric cancer prevention and treatment.

ADP heptose, a novel pathogen-associated molecular pattern identified in Helicobacter pylori.

The gastric pathogen Helicobacter pylori activates the NF-κB pathway in human epithelial cells via the recently discovered α-kinase 1 TRAF-interacting protein with forkhead-associated domain (TIFA) axis. We and others showed that this pathway can be triggered by heptose 1,7-bisphosphate (HBP), an LPS intermediate produced in gram-negative bacteria that represents a new pathogen-associated molecular pattern (PAMP). Here, we report that our attempts to identify HBP in lysates of H. pylori revealed surprisingly low amounts, failing to explain NF-κB activation. Instead, we identified ADP-glycero-β-D-manno-heptose (ADP heptose), a derivative of HBP, as the predominant PAMP in lysates of H. pylori and other gram-negative bacteria. ADP heptose exhibits significantly higher activity than HBP, and cells specifically sensed the presence of the β-form, even when the compound was added extracellularly. The data lead us to conclude that ADP heptose not only constitutes the key PAMP responsible for H. pylori–induced NF-κB activation in epithelial cells, but it acts as a general gram-negative bacterial PAMP.—Pfannkuch, L., Hurwitz, R., Traulsen, J., Sigulla, J., Poeschke, M., Matzner, L., Kosma, P., Schmid, M., Meyer, T. F. ADP heptose, a novel pathogen-associated molecular pattern identified in Helicobacter pylori.

Activation of NF-κB and AP-1 Mediates Hyperproliferation by Inducing β-Catenin and c-Myc in Helicobacter pylori-Infected Gastric Epithelial Cells.

PurposeIn the gastric mucosa of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori)-infected patients with gastritis or adenocarcinoma, proliferation of gastric epithelial cells is increased. Hyperproliferation is related to induction of oncogenes, such as β-catenin and c-myc. Even though transcription factors NF-κB and AP-1 are activated in H. pylori-infected cells, whether NF-κB or AP-1 regulates the expression of β-catenein or c-myc in H. pylori-infected cells has not been clarified. The present study was undertaken to investigate whether H. pylori-induced activation of NF-κB and AP-1 mediates the expression of oncogenes and hyperproliferation of gastric epithelial cells.Materials and MethodsGastric epithelial AGS cells were transiently transfected with mutant genes for IκBα (MAD3) and c-Jun (TAM67) or treated with a specific NF-κB inhibitor caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) or a selective AP-1 inhibitor SR-11302 to suppress activation of NF-κB or AP-1, respecively. As reference cells, the control vector pcDNA was transfected to the cells. Wild-type cells or transfected cells were cultured with or without H. pylori.ResultsH. pylori induced activation of NF-κB and AP-1, cell proliferation, and expression of oncogenes (β-catenein, c-myc) in AGS cells, which was inhibited by transfection of MAD3 and TAM67. Wild-type cells and the cells transfected with pcDNA showed similar activities of NF-κB and AP-1, proliferation, and oncogene expression regardless of treatment with H. pylori. Both CAPE and SR-11302 inhibited cell proliferation and expression of oncogenes in H. pylori-infected cells.ConclusionH. pylori-induced activation of NF-κB and AP-1 regulates transcription of oncogenes and mediates hyperproliferation in gastric epithelial cells.

Inhibitory effect of withaferin A on Helicobacter pylori‑induced IL‑8 production and NF‑κB activation in gastric epithelial cells.

Withaferin A (WA), a withanolide purified from Withania somnifera, has been known to exert anti-inflammatory effects. The present study sought to determine the effects of WA on Helicobacter (H.) pylori-mediated inflammation in the AGS gastric epithelial cell line. Cellular production of interleukin (IL)-8 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was measured by ELISA. Western blot analysis was performed to determine the activation of nuclear factor (NF)-κB and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) as well as hypoxia-inducible factor 1α stabilization. Bacterial growth was also examined by measuring the optical density. Pre-treatment or co-treatment with WA efficiently reduced IL-8 production by AGS cells in response to H. pylori infection. H. pylori-induced activation of NF-κB, but not MAPKs, was also inhibited by pre-treatment of WA in the cells. However, WA did not affect VEGF production and HIF-1α stabilization induced by H. pylori in AGS cells. In addition, WA did not influence the growth of H. pylori, suggesting that the anti-inflammatory effect of WA was not due to any bactericidal effect. These findings indicate that WA is a potential preventive or therapeutic agent for H. pylori-mediated gastric inflammation.

Jak1/Stat3 is an upstream signaling of NF-κB activation in Helicobacter pylori-induced IL-8 production in gastric epithelial AGS cells.

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) induces the activation of nuclear factor-kB (NF-κB) and cytokine expression in gastric epithelial cells. The Janus kinase/signal transducers and activators of transcription (Jak/Stat) cascade is the inflammatory signaling in various cells. The purpose of the present study is to determine whether H. pylori-induced activation of NF-κB and the expression of interleukin-8 (IL-8) are mediated by the activation of Jak1/Stat3 in gastric epithelial (AGS) cells. Thus, gastric epithelial AGS cells were infected with H. pylori in Korean isolates (HP99) at bacterium/cell ratio of 300:1, and the level of IL-8 in the medium was determined by enzyme-linked immonosorbent assay. Phospho-specific and total forms of Jak1/Stat3 and IκBα were assessed by Western blot analysis, and NF-κB activation was determined by electrophoretic mobility shift assay. The results showed that H. pylori induced the activation of Jak1/Stat3 and IL-8 production, which was inhibited by a Jak/Stat3 specific inhibitor AG490 in AGS cells in a dose-dependent manner. H. pylori-induced activation of NF-κB, determined by phosphorylation of IκBα and NF-κB-DNA binding activity, were inhibited by AG490. In conclusion, Jak1/Stat3 activation may mediate the activation of NF-κB and the expression of IL-8 in H. pylori-infected AGS cells. Inhibition of Jak1/Stat3 may be beneficial for the treatment of H. pylori-induced gastric inflammation, since the activation of NF-κB is inhibited and inflammatory cytokine expression is suppressed.

Anti-inflammatory effect of cinnamaldehyde in Helicobacter pylori induced gastric inflammation.

Cinnamomum cassia is widely employed for gastrointestinal complaints such as dyspepsia, flatulence, diarrhea, and vomiting. Studies report cinnamaldehyde (CM) as a major active constituent of cinnamon. The aim of this study was to evaluate the anti-inflammatory mechanism of CM on Helicobacter (H.) pylori-infected gastric epithelial cells in order to validate cinnamon traditional use in gastrointestinal (GI)-related disorders. AGS/MKN-45 cells and H. pylori (193C) were employed for co-culture experiments. Anti-H. pylori cytotoxic and anti-adhesion activity of CM were determined. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay, real time polymerase chain reaction analysis and immunoblotting were used to measure the effect on interleukin-8 (IL-8) secretion/expression. The effect on activation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) was determined by immunoblot analysis. The non-cytotoxic CM (≤125 µM) was also non-bactericidal at the given time, suggesting the effect in H. pylori/cell co-culture system was not due to alteration in H. pylori viability or the toxicity to the cells. Also, CM did not show any anti-adhesion effect against H. pylori/cell co-culture. However, pre-incubation of the cells with CM significantly inhibited the IL-8 secretion/expression from H. pylori-infected cells (p<0.01). In addition, CM suppressed H. pylori-induced NF-κB activation and prevented degradation of inhibitor (I)-κB This study provides evidence that the anti-inflammatory effect of C. cassia on H. pylori-infected gastric cells is due to blockage of the NF-κB pathway by cinnamaldehyde. This agent can be considered as a potential candidate for in vivo and clinical studies against various H. pylori related gastric pathogenic processes.

α-Lipoic Acid InhibitsHelicobacter pylori-Induced Oncogene Expression and Hyperproliferation by Suppressing the Activation of NADPH Oxidase in Gastric Epithelial Cells

Hyperproliferation and oncogene expression are observed in the mucosa of Helicobacter pylori- (H. pylori-) infected patients with gastritis or adenocarcinoma. Expression of oncogenes such as β-catenin and c-myc is related to oxidative stress. α-Lipoic acid (α-LA), a naturally occurring thiol compound, acts as an antioxidant and has an anticancer effect. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of α-LA on H. pylori-induced hyperproliferation and oncogene expression in gastric epithelial AGS cells by determining cell proliferation (viable cell numbers, thymidine incorporation), levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), NADPH oxidase activation (enzyme activity, subcellular levels of NADPH oxidase subunits), activation of redox-sensitive transcription factors (NF-κB, AP-1), expression of oncogenes (β-catenin, c-myc), and nuclear localization of β-catenin. Furthermore, we examined whether NADPH oxidase mediates oncogene expression and hyperproliferation in H. pylori-infected AGS cells using treatment of diphenyleneiodonium (DPI), an inhibitor of NADPH oxidase. As a result, α-LA inhibited the activation of NADPH oxidase and, thus, reduced ROS production, resulting in inhibition on activation of NF-κB and AP-1, induction of oncogenes, nuclear translocation of β-catenin, and hyperproliferation in H. pylori-infected AGS cells. DPI inhibited H. pylori-induced activation of NF-κB and AP-1, oncogene expression and hyperproliferation by reducing ROS levels in AGS cells. In conclusion, we propose that inhibiting NADPH oxidase by α-LA could prevent oncogene expression and hyperproliferation occurring in H. pylori-infected gastric epithelial cells.

Helicobacter pyloriactivates NF-κB by inducing Ubc13-mediated ubiquitination of lysine 158 of TAK1

The Helicobacter pylori virulence factor CagA targets a variety of host proteins to alter different cellular responses, including the induction of pro-inflammatory cytokines. We have previously shown that CagA-facilitated lysine 63-linked ubiquitination of TAK1 is essential for the H. pylori-induced NF-κB activation and the expression of proinflammatory cytokines. However, the molecular mechanism for TAK1 ubiquitination and activation in H. pylori-mediated NF-κB activation remains elusive. Here, we identify lysine 158 of TAK1 as the key residue undergoing lysine 63-linked ubiquitination in response to H. pylori infection. Mutation of lysine 158 to arginine prevents the ubiquitination of TAK1 and impairs H. pylori-induced TAK1 and NF-κB activation. Moreover, we demonstrate that E2 ubiquitin conjugating enzyme Ubc13 is involved in H. pylori-mediated TAK1 ubiquitination. Suppressing the activity of Ubc13 by a dominant-negative mutant or siRNA abolishes CagA-facilitated and H. pylori-induced TAK1 and NF-κB activation. These findings further underscore the importance of lysine 63-linked ubiquitination of TAK1 in H. pylori-induced NF-κB activation and NF-κB-mediated inflammatory response.

Helicobacter pylori induces type 4 secretion system-dependent, but CagA-independent activation of IκBs and NF-κB/RelA at early time points

Colonization of the gastric epithelium by Helicobacter pylori induces the transcription factor nuclear factor of kappa light polypeptide gene enhancer in B-cells (NF-κB) and the innate immune response. Virulent strains of H. pylori carry a cag pathogenicity island (cagPAI), which encodes a type IV secretion system (T4SS). Recent publications have shown controversial data regarding the role of the T4SS and the effector protein cytotoxin associated gene A (CagA), which becomes translocated by the T4SS into the eukaryotic epithelial cell, in H. pylori-induced NF-κB activation. Thus, this study analyses by using three different H. pylori strains (P1, B128 and G27) whether CagA is required to initiate activation of different molecules of inhibitors of kappa B (IκB) and the NF-κB transcription factor RelA. We provide experimental evidence that H. pylori induces phosphorylation of NF-κB inhibitors IκBα, IκBβ and IκBɛ, and degradation of IκBα. Further, H. pylori stimulates phosphorylation of RelA at amino acids S536, S468 and S276, promotes DNA binding of RelA, and interleukin 8 (IL-8) gene expression in a T4SS-, but CagA-independent manner at early time points.

Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent kinase II contributes to inhibitor of nuclear factor-kappa B kinase complex activation inHelicobacter pyloriinfection

Helicobacter pylori, a class I carcinogen, induces a proinflammatory response by activating the transcription factor nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) in gastric epithelial cells. This inflammatory condition could lead to chronic gastritis, which is epidemiologically and biologically linked to the development of gastric cancer. So far, there exists no clear knowledge on how H. pylori induces the NF-κB-mediated inflammatory response. In our study, we investigated the role of Ca(2+) /calmodulin-dependent kinase II (CAMKII), calmodulin, protein kinases C (PKCs) and the CARMA3-Bcl10-MALT1 (CBM) complex in conjunction with H. pylori-induced activation of NF-κB via the inhibitor of nuclear factor-kappa B kinase (IKK) complex. We use specific inhibitors and/or RNA interference to assess the contribution of these components. Our results show that CAMKII and calmodulin contribute to IKK complex activation and thus to the induction of NF-κB in response to H. pylori infection, but not in response to TNF-α. Thus, our findings are specific for H. pylori infected cells. Neither the PKCs α, δ, θ, nor the CBM complex itself is involved in the activation of NF-κB by H. pylori. The contribution of CAMKII and calmodulin, but not PKCs/CBM to the induction of an inflammatory response by H. pylori infection augment the understanding of the molecular mechanism involved and provide potential new disease markers for the diagnosis of gastric inflammatory diseases including gastric cancer.

Clarithromycin modulates Helicobacter pylori-induced activation of nuclear factor-κB through classical and alternative pathways in gastric epithelial cells

Infection of gastric epithelial cells by Helicobacter pylori stimulates the activation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) and the upregulation of interleukin-8 (IL-8) expression. Activation of NF-κB can occur through classical (p50/p65) and alternative (p52/RelB) pathways. The role of the bacterial cag pathogenicity island (PAI) in these events is controversial. This study aimed to evaluate the hypothesis that the CagA protein is required for H. pylori-induced activation of NF-κB and upregulation of IL-8 expression, and for clarithromycin (CAM) to exert its molecular effects. Cultured KATO-III human gastric cancer cells were treated with extracts of H. pylori strains ATCC43504 (cag PAI(+)) and ATCC51932 (cag PAI(-)) for 24 h. NF-κB and phospho-IκB protein expression was then evaluated using western blotting. IL-8 mRNA expression was evaluated using the reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Following the separation of the proteins using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, proteomes of the two bacterial extracts were compared using nanoflow liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (nanoLC-MS/MS) analysis. Although the protein profiles of the two extracts differed, both extracts induced IκBα phosphorylation, upregulation of IL-8 expression, and NF-κB activation through classical and alternative pathways. In cells treated with either of the bacterial extracts, CAM inhibited H. pylori-induced activation of NF-κB and upregulation of IL-8 expression. These results suggested that CagA is not required for H. pylori-induced activation of NF-κB and upregulation of IL-8 expression in gastric epithelial cells. H. pylori-induced NF-κB signaling can occur through classical and alternative activation pathways, and that CAM inhibits these two pathways.

Helicobacter pylori induces NF‐κB independent of CagA

We refer to the publication by Lamb et al (2009). This report describes the Helicobacter pylori virulence factor cytotoxin‐associated gene A (CagA), encoded in the pathogenicity island (PAI), as essential for the rapid activation of the transcription factor nuclear factor κB (NF‐κB) in epithelial cells. The authors reported fast NF‐κB activation in AGS (human gastric carcinoma) cells infected with H. pylori G27 wild type, but not with the isogenic CagA‐deficient strain, determined by IκBα phosphorylation and degradation, RelA phosphorylation, NF‐κB DNA‐binding, and interleukin 8 (IL‐8) mRNA expression. However, the profound CagA dependency of NF‐κB activation, representing the centrepiece of the study by Lamb et al (2009), is in clear contradiction to previously …

The PAK1 autoregulatory domain is required for interaction with NIK in Helicobacter pylori-induced NF-κB activation

Helicobacter pylori, the etiological agent of various human gastric diseases, induces the transcription factor nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB) and proinflammatory cytokines/chemokines. We have characterised the direct interaction between p21-activated kinase 1 (PAK1) and NF-kappaB-inducing kinase (NIK) in H. pylori-infected epithelial cells. The dimerisation (DI) motif, which is part of the NH2-terminal autoregulatory domain of PAK1, is critical for this interaction, whereas NIK forms complexes with PAK1 through its carboxy-terminal IkappaB kinase alpha (IKKalpha) binding site. Since the identified interaction sites are also crucial for the binding of activator (Rac/Cdc42 in the case of PAK1) or effector molecules (IKKalpha in the case of NIK), sequential stepwise signalling is suggested. Furthermore, we show that mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinases (MAP3K), like TPL2 (tumour progression locus 2) and transforming growth factor beta-activated kinase 1 (TAK1), have no impact on H. pylori-induced activation of NF-kappaB. These results identify the roles of PAK1 and NIK in a unique pathway involved in H. pylori-induced NF-kappaB activation, which is crucial for the induction of the innate immune response.

Helicobacter pyloriActivates NF-κB via the Alternative Pathway in B Lymphocytes

Helicobacter pylori causes various gastroduodenal diseases including gastric MALT lymphoma, but the mechanism underlying H. pylori-induced carcinogenesis is not known. The alternative pathway for NF-kappaB activation, which involves the processing of NF-kappaB2/p100 to p52, has been implicated in lymphocyte survival, attenuated apoptosis, and secondary lymphoid tissue development. In this study, we investigated H. pylori-induced activation of NF-kappaB through the alternative pathway in B lymphocytes. In immunoblot and EMSA, H. pylori induced NF-kappaB2/p100 processing to p52 and subsequent nuclear accumulation in IM-9 (human B cell line) cells and human peripheral blood B cells, but not in AGS (human gastric cancer cell line) cells. The activation of the alternative pathway was LPS-dependent but not cag pathogenicity island-dependent. Alternative pathway activation by H. pylori was associated with attenuated apoptosis. The expression levels of B lymphocyte chemoattractant, EBI-1 ligand chemokine, and stromal cell-derived factor-1alpha mRNAs were up-regulated in cocultured human B cells and in infected human gastric mucosa. In the infected mucosa, NF-kappaB2/p100 and p52 were detected immunohistochemically in the cytoplasm and nuclear compartments of lymphocytes, but not in epithelial cells. In summary, H. pylori activates the alternative NF-kappaB pathway in B lymphocytes. The effects on chemokine production and antiapoptosis mediated by H. pylori-induced processing of NF-kappaB2/p100 to p52 may drive lymphocytes to acquire malignant potential.

Curcumin blocks NF-κB and the motogenic response in Helicobacter pylori-infected epithelial cells

Infection of epithelial cells by the microbial pathogen Helicobacter pylori leads to activation of the transcription factor nuclear factor κB (NF-κB), the induction of pro-inflammatory cytokine/chemokine genes, and the motogenic response (cell scattering). Here we report that H. pylori-induced NF-κB activation and the subsequent release of interleukin 8 (IL-8) are inhibited by curcumin (diferuloylmethane), a yellow pigment in turmeric ( Curcuma longa L.). Our results demonstrate that curcumin inhibits IκBα degradation, the activity of IκB kinases α and β (IKKα and β), and NF-κB DNA-binding. The mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK), extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1/2 (ERK1/2) and p38, which are also activated by H. pylori infection, were not inhibited by curcumin. Further, the H. pylori-induced motogenic response was blocked by curcumin. We conclude that curcumin, due to inhibition of NF-κB activation and cell scattering, should be considered as a potential therapeutic agent effective against pathogenic processes initiated by H. pylori infection.

Toll-like Receptor (TLR) 2 and TLR5, but Not TLR4, Are Required for Helicobacter pylori-induced NF-κB Activation and Chemokine Expression by Epithelial Cells

Infection with Helicobacter pylori, a Gram-negative, microaerophilic, flagellated bacteria that adheres to human gastric mucosa, is strongly associated with gastric ulcers and adenocarcinoma. The mechanisms through which gastric epithelial cells recognize this organism are unclear. In this study we evaluated the interactions between the Toll-like receptors (TLRs) and H. pylori-mediated NF-kappa B activation and the induction of chemokine mRNA expression. By reverse transcriptase-PCR we determined that MKN45 gastric epithelial cells express low but detectable amounts of TLR2, -4, and -5 but no MD-2. To determine which, if any, TLRs may play a role in the response of epithelial cells to H. pylori, HEK293 cells were cotransfected with the NF-kappa B-Luc reporter, CD14 and MD2 expression plasmids, and expression plasmids for TLR2, TLR4, or TLR5. Infection of the cultures with H. pylori (strain 26695) induced NF-kappa B activity in cells transfected with TLR2 and TLR5, but not TLR4. Consistent with the HEK293 experiments, H. pylori-induced NF-kappa B activation was decreased in MKN45 gastric epithelial cells by transfection of dominant-negative versions of TLR2 and TLR5 but not TLR4. Highly purified lipopolysaccharide from H. pylori strain 26695 activated NF-kappa B in HEK293 via TLR2 but not TLR4. Partially purified flagellin from H. pylori was also capable of inducing NF-kappa B activation in HEK cells transfected with TLR5. Additionally, chemokine gene expression was induced by H. pylori in HEK293 cells following stable transfection with TLR2 or TLR5 expression plasmids. These studies demonstrate that gastric epithelial cells recognize and respond to H. pylori infection at least in part via TLR2 and TLR5. Furthermore, the unique lipopolysaccharide of H. pylori is a TLR2, not a TLR4 agonist.

Helicobacter pylori induces RANTES through activation of NF-kappa B.

Helicobacter pylori-infected gastric mucosa displays a conspicuous infiltration of mononuclear cells and neutrophils. RANTES (short for "regulated upon activation, normal T cell expressed and secreted") is a chemoattractant cytokine (chemokine) important in the infiltration of T lymphocytes and monocytes. RANTES may therefore contribute to the cellular infiltrate in the H. pylori-infected gastric mucosa. The aim of this study was to analyze the molecular mechanism responsible for H. pylori-mediated RANTES expression. We observed that gastric epithelial cells produced RANTES upon coculture with H. pylori. In addition, H. pylori induced RANTES mRNA expression and an increase in luciferase activity in cells which were transfected with a luciferase reporter construct derived from the RANTES promoter, in gastric epithelial cells, indicating that the induction of RANTES production occurred at the transcriptional level. Induction of RANTES was dependent on an intact cag pathogenicity island. Activation of the RANTES promoter by H. pylori occurred through the action of NF-kappa B. Transfection of kinase-deficient mutants of I kappa B kinase (IKK) and NF-kappa B-inducing kinase (NIK) inhibited H. pylori-mediated RANTES activation. In contrast, tumor necrosis factor alpha- or interleukin-1/Toll-like receptor signaling molecules-such as mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase kinase 1, MyD88, and interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase-did not play a role in RANTES activation by H. pylori. Collectively, H. pylori induced NF-kappa B activation through an intracellular signaling pathway that involved IKK and NIK, leading to RANTES gene transcription. RANTES induction by H. pylori may play an important role in gastric inflammation.

Differential Activation of Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases in AGS Gastric Epithelial Cells bycag+ andcag− Helicobacter pylori

AbstractThe 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 μM; MAP kinase kinase (MEK-1) inhibitor) and SB203580 (10 μM; p38 inhibitor), reduced H. pylori-induced IL-8 production in AGS cells by 78 and 82%, respectively (p &amp;lt; 0.01 for each). Both inhibitors together completely blocked IL-8 production (p &amp;lt; 0.001). However, the MAP kinase inhibitors did not prevent H. pylori-induced IκBα degradation or NF-κB 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-κB 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.