Differential Roles of ASK1 and TAK1 in Helicobacter pylori-Induced Cellular Responses
ABSTRACTThe mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway regulates various cellular functions, including those induced byHelicobacter pylori. TAK1 is an upstream MAPK kinase kinase (MAP3K) required forH. pylori-induced MAPK and NF-κB activation, but it remains unclear whether other MAP3Ks are involved inH. pylori-induced cellular responses. In this study, we focused on the MAP3K ASK1, which plays a critical role in gastric tumorigenesis. In gastric epithelial cells,H. pyloriactivates ASK1 in a reactive oxygen species (ROS)- andcagpathogenicity island-dependent manner, and ASK1 regulates sustained JNK activation and apoptosis induced byH. pylori. In contrast, TAK1 regulatesH. pylori-mediated early JNK activation and cytokine production. We also found reciprocal regulation between ASK1 and TAK1 inH. pylori-related responses, whereby inhibition of TAK1 or downstream p38 MAPK activates ASK1 through ROS production, and ASK1 suppresses TAK1 and downstream NF-κB activation. We identified ROS/ASK1/JNK as a new signaling pathway induced byH. pylori, which regulates apoptotic cell death. The balance of ASK1-induced apoptosis and TAK1-induced antiapoptotic or inflammatory responses may determine the fate of epithelial cells infected withH. pyloriand thus be involved in the pathogenesis of gastritis and gastric cancer.