The role of Helicobacter pylori virulence factors in interleukin production by monocytic cells

Helicobacter pylori infection results in chronic gastritis, which is initia ted by the release of cytokines like interleukin (IL)-12 and IL-8 from mono nuclear cells, and IL-8 from gastric epithelial cells. The severity of gast ritis is influenced both by host factors and by bacterial factors such as t he Cag proteins and the vacuolating cytotoxin VacA. Amounts of IL-12 and IL -8 produced by monocytic THP-1 cells differed considerably between the eigh t H. pylori isolates tested, but in contrast to H. pylori-induced IL-8 prod uction by gastric epithelial cells, did not correlate to the Cag and VacA t ypes of the strains. Apparently, in addition to Cag and VacA, other bacteri al factors determine the extent in which H. pylori induced IL production in monocytes. (C) 2001 Published by Elsevier Science B.V. on behalf of the Fe deration of European Microbiological Societies.