Aberrant epithelial expression of trefoil family factor 2 and mucin 6 in Helicobacter pylori infected gastric antrum, incisura, and body and its association with antralisation.
OBJECTIVE
To determine gastric expression of trefoil family factor 2 (TFF2) and MUC6 in Helicobacter pylori positive and negative subjects, and its association with antralisation at the gastric incisura.


METHODS
Gastric biopsies from the antrum, incisura, and body of 76 dyspeptic patients without ulcers were used for the determination of H. pylori infection, histological changes, and epithelial TFF2 and MUC6 expression.


RESULTS
In the foveola, the rates of TFF2 and MUC6 immunostaining were greater in H. pylori infected (n = 27) than in uninfected patients (n = 49) at the antrum (59.3% v 4.1% for TFF2 and 63.0% v 4.1% for MUC6; both p < 0.001) and incisura (44.4% v 2.0% for TFF2 and 48.1% v 0% for MUC6; both p < 0.001). In the deeper glands, the rates were also greater in H. pylori infected than in uninfected patients at the incisura (85.2% v 22.4% for both TFF2 and MUC6; p < 0.001). Antral-type mucosa was present at the incisura in 28 of the 76 patients. TFF2 and MUC6 expression in the foveola and deeper glands was significantly associated with antral-type mucosa, independent of H. pylori status.


CONCLUSIONS
Helicobacter pylori infection increases the expression of TFF2 and MUC6 in the gastric epithelium. Aberrant TFF2 and MUC6 expression is associated with antralisation of gastric incisura.
Xia
H H-X
HH
Department of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR China.
Yang
Y
Y
Lam
S K
SK
Wong
W M
WM
Leung
S Y
SY
Yuen
S T
ST
Elia
G
G
Wright
N A
NA
Wong
B C-Y
BC
D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D005260:Female; D005753:Gastric Mucosa / Q000737:chemistry*; D005756:Gastritis / Q000378:metabolism*; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000378:metabolism*; D016480:Helicobacter pylori; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D055272:Mucin-6; D009077:Mucins / Q000032:analysis*; D009124:Muscle Proteins; D009479:Neuropeptides; D010455:Peptides / Q000032:analysis*; D011706:Pyloric Antrum; D000071164:Trefoil Factor-2; D000071165:Trefoil Factor-3
D015415:Biomarkers; C524734:MUC6 protein, human; C524736:Muc6 protein, rat; D055272:Mucin-6; D009077:Mucins; D009124:Muscle Proteins; D009479:Neuropeptides; D010455:Peptides; C000604007:TFF2 protein, human; C099037:TFF3 protein, rat; C000604008:Tff2 protein, rat; D000071164:Trefoil Factor-2; D000071165:Trefoil Factor-3