ACTIVATION OF EPITHELIAL-CELLS IN GASTRITIS

Background: Helicobacter pylori is now recognised to be the major caus e of antral gastritis and a risk factor for further development of gas tric cancer. This infection results in local inflammation and a modifi cation of gastric mucosal epithelial cell characteristics. Systematic investigation for the expression of the secretory component by gastric epithelium in a personal historical series of biopsy specimens showed the expression of this activation marker in 38% of the cases, 19% als o showing clear signs of H. pylori infection. Aims: To further appreci ate the activation of epithelial cells in the chronic gastric inflamma tion associated with H. pylori infection and other types of gastritis without consideration of the grade of gastritis. Methods: Punch gastri c biopsies from 36 patients (10 patients with confirmed H. pylori gast ritis, 16 patients with non-H. pylori gastritis and 10 controls) were tested for the expression of ICAM-1/CD54, HLA-DP, -DQ, -DR, secretory component and bcl-2 by immunofluorescence. Results: Up-regulation of m ost markers was observed both in H. pylori and non-H. pylori gastritis , although secretory component, CD54 and DP expression was more closel y associated with H. pylori gastritis. Conclusion: H. pylori infection appears to activate gastric epithelial cells more strongly than other types of gastritis. This suggests an active relationship between this bacterium and epithelial cells. Investigation of the up-regulation-sh ip between this bacterium and epithelial cells. Investigation of the u p-regulation of secretory component, ICAM-1/CD54 or DP in gastric biop sies may serve as extensive markers in search of H. pylori gastric inf ections.