Gastric epithelial cell CXC chemokine secretion following Helicobacter pylori infection in vitro

Background and Aim: Helicobacter pylori infection of the stomach is commonly associated with infiltration of neutrophils. Gastric epithelial cells are recognized as central mediators of tissue responses to this organism. The aim of the present study was to ascertain patterns of production of three neutrophil chemoattractant chemokines following infection of gastric epithelial cells with H. pylori in vitro. Methods: Two gastric cancer-derived epithelial cell lines were infected with H. pylori organisms of previously defined cagE and cagA status for periods of up to 24 h. The production of three chemokines (interleukin [IL]-8, epithelial neutrophil activating protein [ENA]-78 and growth-related oncogene [GRO]-alpha) over this time was measured in culture supernatants using immunoassays. Results: Both IL-8 and GRO-alpha were produced by both AGS and KATO-III cells in response to H. pylori infection, and in a cag PAI-dependent manner. ENA-78, however, was not increased following H. pylori infection. Conclusions: GRO-alpha is expressed by epithelial cells following H. pylori infection along with IL-8. Both may contribute to neutrophilic infiltration present in gastric mucosa associated with H. pylori infection. In contrast, H. pylori infection does not lead to an increased synthesis of ENA-78, suggesting that this may not be as important in vivo. (C) 2004 Blackwell Publishing Asia Pty Ltd.