Adoptive transfer of splenocytes in SCID mice implicates CD4+ T cells in apoptosis and epithelial proliferation associated with Helicobacter pylori-induced gastritis.
Helicobacter pylori causes severe, rapidly progressive gastritis in severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) mouse recipients of congenic splenocytes. The H. pylori-infected and uninfected C57BL/6J and recipient SCID mice were evaluated to detect CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, B cells, apoptotic epithelial cells, and epithelial cell proliferation at postinoculation weeks 5, 6, 8, and 12. Serum was evaluated for anti-H. pylori IgG and IgM. In all H. pylori-infected mice, gastric CD4+ cell scores were increased, compared with scores for uninfected controls. Recipient mice differed, however, according to the source of the transferred CD4+ cells. The CD4+ cell scores for recipients of splenocytes from H. pylori-infected (immune) donors were indistinguishable from those for wild-type donor mice at all time points. In contrast, gastric mucosal CD4+ cell scores did not become significantly high until two weeks after transfer (postinoculation week 6) in recipients of cells from uninfected (naïve) donors. Gastric epithelial apoptosis and the gastric epithelial proliferation zone were significantly (P < 0.05) increased in infected recipient and donor, compared with non-recipient and uninfected mice at postinoculation week 12. Results indicated that CD4 cells are sensitized in vivo and migrate to the gastric mucosa where they induce gastritis in response to H. pylori antigens. Influx of CD4 cells and gastritis are correlated with epithelial proliferation and apoptosis, and suggest that CD4-dependent H. pylori gastritis leads to epithelial damage with attendant proliferative and metaplastic responses.
Peterson
Richard A
RA
The Ohio State University, College of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA.
Hoepf
Toni
T
Eaton
Kathryn A
KA
D019264:Adoptive Transfer; D000818:Animals; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000378:metabolism; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000276:immunology*; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D002455:Cell Division; D005260:Female; D019084:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect; D005753:Gastric Mucosa / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D005756:Gastritis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D016480:Helicobacter pylori / Q000276:immunology; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000097:blood; D020287:In Situ Nick-End Labeling; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D016513:Mice, SCID; D018809:Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen / Q000378:metabolism; D016511:Severe Combined Immunodeficiency / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D013154:Spleen / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*
D015703:Antigens, CD; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D018809:Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen