UP-REGULATION OF CD44 AND ICAM-1 EXPRESSION ON GASTRIC EPITHELIAL-CELLS BY HELICOBACTER-PYLORI

Interaction between lymphocytes and epithelial cells may play a key ro le in Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori)-associated gastric mucosal infla mmation. This interaction process is at least partially mediated by va rious cell adhesion molecules. The aims of the present study were to a ssess using flow cytometric analysis whether H. pylori directly or sup ernatants from H. pylori-activated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) can affect the expression of adhesion molecules on the gastric epithelial cell line AGS in vitro. The results showed that resting AGS cells expressed CD44 and ICAM-1. Go-culture of AGS with H. pylori or cytokine-rich supernatants from H. pylori-activated PBMC resulted in u pregulation of expression of CD44 and ICAM-1 on AGS cells. These data suggest that H, pylori directly and indirectly through inflammatory cy tokines may contribute to alternations in adhesion molecule expression on gastric epithelial cells. This may be of pathological significance in H. pylori associated gastric mucosal inflammation and carcinogenes is.