Preferential induction of transforming growth factor-beta production in gastric epithelial cells and monocytes by Helicobacter pylori soluble proteins.
BACKGROUND
The cytokines induced by Helicobacter pylori, as well as the intricate balance of proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines, are relevant to the outcomes of H. pylori infection. Transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta and interleukin (IL)-10 are 2 vital anti-inflammatory cytokines that regulate mucosal immunity in various inflammatory and infectious diseases.


METHODS
To elucidate whether host-bacteria interaction can influence TGF-beta and IL-10 production, we investigated the expression of TGF-beta and IL-10 in various mammalian cell lines preincubated with H. pylori and other enteric bacteria.


RESULTS
The amount of TGF-beta protein, but not IL-10, was significantly increased after stimulation with H. pylori, but other enteric bacteria did not induce TGF- beta production. Different H. pylori strains isolated from patients with gastritis, peptic ulcer, gastric cancer and strains with cagA or vacA isogenic mutations showed similar effects on TGF-beta induction, indicating that this effect was a constitutional characteristic of H. pylori and independent of cagA and vacA status.


CONCLUSIONS
The results imply the presence of a protein factor (termed "TGF-beta-inducing protein") that induces production of TGF-beta. In view of the multiple effects of TGF-beta , we conclude the TGF-beta-inducing protein of H. pylori might mediate the immune response and contribute to the pathogenesis of H. pylori infection.
Wu
Ming-Shiang
MS
Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
Lin
Jaw-Town
JT
Hsu
Ping-Ning
PN
Lin
Ching-Yi
CY
Hsieh
Yuan-Ting
YT
Chiu
Yi-Han
YH
Hsueh
Po-Ren
PR
Liao
Kuang-Wen
KW
D000942:Antigens, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000378:metabolism*; D016480:Helicobacter pylori / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D016753:Interleukin-10 / Q000378:metabolism; D009000:Monocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D013270:Stomach / Q000166:cytology; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000096:biosynthesis*
D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; C074689:VacA protein, Helicobacter pylori; C080866:cagA protein, Helicobacter pylori; D016753:Interleukin-10