Induction of secretion of interleukin-8 from human gastric epithelial cells by heat-shock protein 60 homologue of Helicobacter pylori

Escherichia coli cells expressing fusion proteins consisting of P-galactosi dase and bacterial heat-shock protein (HSP) 60 of E. coli, Yersinia enteroc olitica or Helicobacter pylori were constructed, and designated as HY1, HY2 or HY3, respectively, Fusion proteins prepared from HY2 and HY3 induced se cretion of interleukin-8 (IL-8) from human gastric epithelial KATO III cell cultures. On the other hand, the parent strain (E. coli pop2136), PEX (pop 2136 transformed by vector) and fusion protein prepared from HY1 did not in duce IL-8 secretion from KATO III cells, Other human gastric (MKN45) and no n-gastric cell lines (Int 407 and A549) did not secrete IL-8 following trea tment with these proteins. These results indicate that H. pylori HSP60 indu ces IL-8 secretion from human gastric cells and the levels of IL-8 differ a mong the various gastric cell lines, suggesting that HSP60 might be an impo rtant virulence factor associated with chronic gastric inflammation followi ng H. pylori infection in man.