ANTRUM-INFILTRATING AND CORPUS MUCOSA-INFILTRATING CD4(-PYLORI GASTRITIS DISPLAY A TH1 PHENOTYPE() LYMPHOCYTES IN HELICOBACTER)

In this study, cytokine patterns produced by CD4(+) T cells isolated f rom antrum or corpus gastral biopsy specimens of 10 patients with Heli cobacter pylori-positive gastritis were compared. To this end, express ion of intracellular cytokines (interleukin-4 [IL-4] and gamma interfe ron) and of CD4 was assessed by flow cytometry. Ten to 60% of the isol ated CD4(+) T cells produced gamma interferon upon stimulation. With t he exception of one patient, IL-4-positive CD4(+) cells were not detec ted. Therefore, CD4(+) cells infiltrating antrum and corpus stomach mu cosa during H. pylori infection show a Th1 phenotype. This polarized T h1-type response may contribute to the inability of the immune system to eradicate H. pylori infection.