Neutrophil activation by Helicobacter pylori.
Helicobacter pylori infection of the stomach is accompanied by a persistent polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMNL) infiltrate of the mucosa. The aim of this work was to study the activation of human PMNL by substances produced by H pylori. Filtered H pylori conditioned media stimulated a significant PMNL oxidative burst (p less than 0.002). This was equal to 26% of the maximal response stimulated by the PMNL chemotactic peptide N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (FMLP, 1 mumol/l). The response to FMLP was prolonged by the combined presence of complement inactivated human anti-H pylori plasma and conditioned medium (p less than 0.002). High pressure liquid chromatography of an extract of conditioned medium showed a fraction that stimulated PMNL, eluted, and antigenically cross reacted with FMLP. Washed H pylori cells, and those opsonised with complement inactivated human anti-H pylori plasma, did not induce a significant oxidative burst. Opsonized H pylori, however, prolonged the oxidative burst induced by FMLP (p less than 0.02). In conclusion, H pylori synthesizes and secretes a substance, probably FMLP, that may account for the PMNL accumulation that accompanies H pylori infections. Immune complexes composed of H pylori antigen and specific antibody potentiate the PMNL oxidative burst. This combination of H pylori derived products, and host PMNL and antibodies, may be involved in the mucosal damage observed in H pylori associated gastritis.
Mooney
C
C
University Department of Surgery, Christchurch School of Medicine, New Zealand.
Keenan
J
J
Munster
D
D
Wilson
I
I
Allardyce
R
R
Bagshaw
P
P
Chapman
B
B
Chadwick
V
V
D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis; D005753:Gastric Mucosa / Q000382:microbiology; D016480:Helicobacter pylori / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000032:analysis; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D009240:N-Formylmethionine Leucyl-Phenylalanine / Q000494:pharmacology; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000187:drug effects; D013268:Stimulation, Chemical
D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D009240:N-Formylmethionine Leucyl-Phenylalanine