The expression level of TRAF1 in human gastric mucosa is related to virulence genotypes of Helicobacter pylori.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the expression level of tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 1 (TRAF1) in gastric mucosa tissue in patients infected with Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) and to analyze the relationship between TRAF1 expression and H. pylori virulence.


METHODS
Gastric tissue samples were collected from patients with gastritis, atrophic gastritis, intestinal metaplasia with atypical hyperplasia, and gastric cancer. The expression level of TRAF1 in each group was analyzed by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Western blot analysis. Virulence genotypes of H. pylori were determined by PCR.


RESULTS
Significant differences in TRAF1 mRNA levels were observed between the gastritis and gastric cancer groups, and the atrophic gastritis and gastric cancer groups (p < 0.05). Moreover, significant differences in TRAF1 protein levels were observed between the gastritis and intestinal metaplasia with atypical hyperplasia groups, between the gastritis and gastric cancer groups, and between the atrophic gastritis and gastric cancer groups (all p < 0.05). The virulence genotypes of cytotoxin-associated gene A (cagA), vacAs1, and vacAm1 were more frequent in the TRAF1 high-level group than in the TRAF1 low-level group (p < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Higher TARF1 expression level is associated with infection by CagA(+)/vacAs1(+)/m1(+) virulent H. pylori strains and may promote the proliferation of gastric mucosal cells and induce gastric cancer.
Department of Gastroenterology, Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University , Changsha , China.
Fen
F
Wang
Guangkui
G
Bu
Qian
Q
Feng
Zhiying
Z
Liu
Canxia
C
Xu
Shourong
S
Shen
Yi
Y
Yuan
D000942:Antigens, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000235:genetics*; D005753:Gastric Mucosa / Q000473:pathology*; D005838:Genotype; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000150:complications*; D016480:Helicobacter pylori / Q000235:genetics / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D006801:Humans; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology*; D047990:TNF Receptor-Associated Factor 1 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D037521:Virulence Factors / Q000235:genetics*
D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D047990:TNF Receptor-Associated Factor 1; C074689:VacA protein, Helicobacter pylori; D037521:Virulence Factors; C080866:cagA protein, Helicobacter pylori
Helicobacter pylori genotypes; TRAF1; gastric cancer