Mucosal interleukin-8 and Helicobacter pylori-associated gastroduodenal disease.
OBJECTIVE
To review the role of interleukin (IL)-8 in the immunopathology of Helicobacter pylori-associated gastroduodenal disease.


METHODS
Literature review.


RESULTS
In H. pylori infection, IL-8 secretion by the gastric mucosa is increased, particularly in patients with active neutrophilic gastritis. Immunoreactive IL-8 is evident in the epithelium of histologically normal gastric mucosa but epithelial IL-8 expression is increased in H. pylori-associated chronic gastritis. Gastric epithelial cell lines constitutively express IL-8 messenger (m)RNA and IL-8 message and protein secretion can be upregulated by the cytokines tumour necrosis factor-alpha, IL-1 alpha and IL-1 beta. H. pylori also directly induces epithelial IL-8 expression in a strain-specific manner. Cytotoxic strains expressing the CagA protein upregulate IL-8 mRNA and IL-8 protein secretion.


CONCLUSIONS
IL-8 is an important chemotactic and activating factor for neutrophils. The secretion of IL-8 by epithelial cells is probably a key factor in host defences at mucosal sites, permitting a rapid polymorph response against infectious agents. If defence mechanisms fail and chronic infection results, continued upregulation of IL-8 and neutrophil activation could lead to mucosal damage and increased free radical formation. Mucosal IL-8 production in H. pylori infection may be an important factor in the immunopathogenesis of peptic ulcer disease and also be of relevance to gastric carcinogenesis.
Crabtree
J E
JE
Department of Clinical Medicine, St James's University Hospital, Leeds, UK.
Lindley
I J
IJ
D004378:Duodenal Diseases / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology; D005753:Gastric Mucosa / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000382:microbiology; D005756:Gastritis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology*; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016480:Helicobacter pylori / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D006801:Humans; D016209:Interleukin-8 / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D018375:Neutrophil Activation; D013276:Stomach Ulcer / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology
D016209:Interleukin-8