Expression of mRNA for interferon-gamma, interleukin-10, and interleukin-12 (p40) in normal gastric mucosa and in mucosa infected with Helicobacter pylori.
BACKGROUND
We studied the mRNA expressions of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), interleukin-10 (IL-10), and IL-12 in gastric biopsy and blood samples from patients with and without Helicobacter pylori infection, by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).


METHODS
RT-PCR was performed on total RNA preparations, and the expressed mRNA were semiquantitated on the basis of band intensities on Southern blots.


RESULTS
In gastric mucosa the expression of IFN-gamma and IL-10 was found in most patients with and without H. pylori infection, whereas IL-12 was found in most of the infected ones. The level of IFN-gamma and IL-10 did not differ between groups, whereas the IL-12 level was significantly higher in those with H. pylori infection. In the blood IFN-gamma expression was found in most samples, with higher level in patients with gastritis than in normals. Few blood samples (33%) had IL-12, and none had IL-10.


CONCLUSIONS
IFN-gamma and IL-10 expressions in healthy mucosa may indicate a biologic role in a healthy state. IL-12 expression in mucosa was related to the presence of bacterial stimulant and therefore resembles proinflammatory cytokines.
Karttunen
R A
RA
Dept. of Medicine, and Inflammatory Bowel Disease Laboratory, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
Karttunen
T J
TJ
Yousfi
M M
MM
el-Zimaity
H M
HM
Graham
D Y
DY
el-Zaatari
F A
FA
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015139:Blotting, Southern; D005753:Gastric Mucosa / Q000378:metabolism*; D005756:Gastritis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D016480:Helicobacter pylori / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000235:genetics*; D016753:Interleukin-10 / Q000235:genetics*; D018664:Interleukin-12 / Q000235:genetics*; D008875:Middle Aged; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism*; D012194:RNA-Directed DNA Polymerase
D012333:RNA, Messenger; D016753:Interleukin-10; D018664:Interleukin-12; D007371:Interferon-gamma; D012194:RNA-Directed DNA Polymerase