title: Structural changes in the gastric foveolar epithelium in Helicobacter pylori-positive gastritis revealed by keratin immunohistochemistry.
abstract: To clarify structural changes in the gastric foveolar epithelium in Helicobacter pylori (Hp)-positive gastritis, the expression rates of keratins 8, 18, 19, and 20 were assessed immunohistochemically in normal tissue and chronic gastritis. In normal tissue, keratin 8 was found in 100% of the cells. Staining for keratins 18 and 19 was abundantly positive. Keratin 20 was not expressed in the deep foveolae, but present in the upper foveolae and on the tips. No differences were found between the antrum and the body. In chronic gastritis, both Hp-positive and -negative, keratins 8, 18, and 19 were expressed comparably to normal tissue. Keratin 20 expression in the antrum was significantly lower in Hp-positive compared with Hp-negative gastritis (P < .05) and normal tissue (P < .05). In the body, staining for keratin 20 did not differ significantly between all groups. The difference in keratin 20 expression between the antrum and the body in Hp-positive gastritis was significant (P < .05). After successful eradication, staining for keratin 20 in the antrum normalized within 6 months (P < .05). These findings indicate structural changes in the gastric foveolar epithelium in Hp-positive gastritis. They predominantly include the antral region and show full reversibility after eradication.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Pathology, Department of Pathology, Military Hospital Ulm, Ulm/Donau, Germany.
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Schwerer
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kraft
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Baczako
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001706:Biopsy; D005260:Female; D005753:Gastric Mucosa / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000382:microbiology*; D005756:Gastritis / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000382:microbiology; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism*; D016480:Helicobacter pylori; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007633:Keratins / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
chemical_list: D007633:Keratins