Multiplex-PCR-Based Screening and Computational Modeling of Virulence Factors and T-Cell Mediated Immunity in Helicobacter pylori Infections for Accurate Clinical Diagnosis.
The outcome of H. pylori infection is closely related with bacteria's virulence factors and host immune response. The association between T cells and H. pylori infection has been identified, but the effects of the nine major H. pylori specific virulence factors; cagA, vacA, oipA, babA, hpaA, napA, dupA, ureA, ureB on T cell response in H. pylori infected patients have not been fully elucidated. We developed a multiplex- PCR assay to detect nine H. pylori virulence genes with in a three PCR reactions. Also, the expression levels of Th1, Th17 and Treg cell specific cytokines and transcription factors were detected by using qRT-PCR assays. Furthermore, a novel expert derived model is developed to identify set of factors and rules that can distinguish the ulcer patients from gastritis patients. Within all virulence factors that we tested, we identified a correlation between the presence of napA virulence gene and ulcer disease as a first data. Additionally, a positive correlation between the H. pylori dupA virulence factor and IFN-γ, and H. pylori babA virulence factor and IL-17 was detected in gastritis and ulcer patients respectively. By using computer-based models, clinical outcomes of a patients infected with H. pylori can be predicted by screening the patient's H. pylori vacA m1/m2, ureA and cagA status and IFN-γ (Th1), IL-17 (Th17), and FOXP3 (Treg) expression levels. Herein, we report, for the first time, the relationship between H. pylori virulence factors and host immune responses for diagnostic prediction of gastric diseases using computer-based models.
Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Istanbul Technical University, Maslak, Istanbul, Turkey; Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Medicine, Acibadem University, Atasehir, Istanbul, Turkey.
Sinem
S
Oktem-Okullu
Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Acibadem University, Atasehir, Istanbul, Turkey; Department of Gastroenterology, Acibadem Hospital Group, Istanbul, Turkey.
Arzu
A
Tiftikci
Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Acibadem University, Atasehir, Istanbul, Turkey; Department of Gastroenterology, Acibadem Hospital Group, Istanbul, Turkey.
Murat
M
Saruc
Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Acibadem University, Atasehir, Istanbul, Turkey; Department of Gastroenterology, Acibadem Hospital Group, Istanbul, Turkey.
Bahattin
B
Cicek
Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Acibadem University, Atasehir, Istanbul, Turkey; Department of Gastroenterology, Acibadem Hospital Group, Istanbul, Turkey.
Eser
E
Vardareli
Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Acibadem University, Atasehir, Istanbul, Turkey; Department of Gastroenterology, Acibadem Hospital Group, Istanbul, Turkey.
Nurdan
N
Tozun
Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Medicine, Acibadem University, Atasehir, Istanbul, Turkey.
Tanil
T
Kocagoz
Department of Biostatistics and Medical Informatics, School of Medicine, Acibadem University, Atasehir, Istanbul, Turkey.
Ugur
U
Sezerman
Molecular Biology, Genetics and Bioengineering Program, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Sabancı University, Tuzla, Istanbul, Turkey.
Ahmet Sinan
AS
Yavuz
Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Istanbul Technical University, Maslak, Istanbul, Turkey.
Ayca
A
Sayi-Yazgan
D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D003198:Computer Simulation; D003936:Diagnosis, Computer-Assisted; D005103:Expert Systems; D005756:Gastritis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology; D005798:Genes, Bacterial; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology; D016480:Helicobacter pylori / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000472:pathogenicity; D054884:Host-Pathogen Interactions / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D060885:Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology; D037521:Virulence Factors / Q000235:genetics
D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D037521:Virulence Factors