Inflammatory cytokine mRNA expression during early and persistent Helicobacter pylori infection in nonhuman primates

The role of mononuclear phagocytes in orchestrating the host responses to H elicobacter pylori is inadequately understood. Therefore, gene expression f or the monocyte/macrophage-derived cytokines interleukin (IL)-1 beta, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha was determined before and during H, pylori infection of rhesus monkeys by use of a highly sensitive quantitativ e reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. The numbers of molecules of IL-1 beta, IL-6, and TNF-alpha mRNA in gastric tissue during early infe ction (7 weeks) significantly exceeded the preinfection numbers (P <.03), M oreover, the numbers of IL-1 beta, IL-6, and TNF-alpha mRNA molecules in pe rsistently infected animals (6 years) also were elevated compared with prei nfection numbers (P<.02, P=.03, P=.16, respectively), Cytokine gene express ion coincided with progressive H. pylori gastritis, confirmed by increased gastritis scores over preinfection scores (P<.005). These findings provide quantitative evidence that H, pylori induces local gene expression of monoc yte/macrophage-derived inflammatory cytokines and evokes an innate response in gastric tissue of nonhuman primates.