scholarly journals Mechanisms of the Epithelial–Mesenchymal Transition and Tumor Microenvironment in Helicobacter pylori-Induced Gastric Cancer

Cells ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 1055 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacek Baj ◽  
Izabela Korona-Głowniak ◽  
Alicja Forma ◽  
Amr Maani ◽  
Elżbieta Sitarz ◽  
...  

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is one of the most common human pathogens, affecting half of the world’s population. Approximately 20% of the infected patients develop gastric ulcers or neoplastic changes in the gastric stroma. An infection also leads to the progression of epithelial–mesenchymal transition within gastric tissue, increasing the probability of gastric cancer development. This paper aims to review the role of H. pylori and its virulence factors in epithelial–mesenchymal transition associated with malignant transformation within the gastric stroma. The reviewed factors included: CagA (cytotoxin-associated gene A) along with induction of cancer stem-cell properties and interaction with YAP (Yes-associated protein pathway), tumor necrosis factor α-inducing protein, Lpp20 lipoprotein, Afadin protein, penicillin-binding protein 1A, microRNA-29a-3p, programmed cell death protein 4, lysosomal-associated protein transmembrane 4β, cancer-associated fibroblasts, heparin-binding epidermal growth factor (HB-EGF), matrix metalloproteinase-7 (MMP-7), and cancer stem cells (CSCs). The review summarizes the most recent findings, providing insight into potential molecular targets and new treatment strategies for gastric cancer.

Antioxidants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 1293
Author(s):  
Ting-Yu Lin ◽  
Wen-Hsi Lan ◽  
Ya-Fang Chiu ◽  
Chun-Lung Feng ◽  
Cheng-Hsun Chiu ◽  
...  

Conventionally, statins are used to treat high cholesterol levels. They exhibit pleiotropic effects, such as the prevention of cardiovascular disease and decreased cancer mortality. Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the most common cancers, ranking as the third leading global cause of cancer-related deaths, and is mainly attributed to chronic Helicobacter pylori infection. During their co-evolution with hosts, H. pylori has developed the ability to use the cellular components of the host to evade the immune system and multiply in intracellular niches. Certain H. pylori virulence factors, including cytotoxin-associated gene A (CagA), vacuolating cytotoxin A (VacA), and cholesterol-α-glucosyltransferase (CGT), have been shown to exploit host cholesterol during pathogenesis. Therefore, using statins to antagonize cholesterol synthesis might prove to be an ideal strategy for reducing the occurrence of H. pylori-related GC. This review discusses the current understanding of the interplay of H. pylori virulence factors with cholesterol and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, which may prove to be novel therapeutic targets for the development of effective treatment strategies against H. pylori-associated GC. We also summarize the findings of several clinical studies on the association between statin therapy and the development of GC, especially in terms of cancer risk and mortality.


Cells ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 1462 ◽  
Author(s):  
Camille Tiffon ◽  
Julie Giraud ◽  
Silvia Elena Molina-Castro ◽  
Sara Peru ◽  
Lornella Seeneevassen ◽  
...  

Helicobacter pylori infection, the main risk factor for gastric cancer (GC), leads to an epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) of gastric epithelium contributing to gastric cancer stem cell (CSC) emergence. The Hippo pathway effectors yes-associated protein (YAP) and transcriptional co-activator with PDZ binding motif (TAZ) control cancer initiation and progression in many cancers including GC. Here, we investigated the role of TAZ in the early steps of H. pylori-mediated gastric carcinogenesis. TAZ implication in EMT, invasion, and CSC-related tumorigenic properties were evaluated in three gastric epithelial cell lines infected by H. pylori. We showed that H. pylori infection increased TAZ nuclear expression and transcriptional enhancer TEA domain (TEAD) transcription factors transcriptional activity. Nuclear TAZ and zinc finger E-box-binding homeobox 1 (ZEB1) were co-overexpressed in cells harboring a mesenchymal phenotype in vitro, and in areas of regenerative hyperplasia in gastric mucosa of H. pylori-infected patients and experimentally infected mice, as well as at the invasive front of gastric carcinoma. TAZ silencing reduced ZEB1 expression and EMT phenotype, and strongly inhibited invasion and tumorsphere formation induced by H. pylori. In conclusion, TAZ activation in response to H. pylori infection contributes to H. pylori-induced EMT, invasion, and CSC-like tumorigenic properties. TAZ overexpression in H. pylori-induced pre-neoplastic lesions and in GC could therefore constitute a biomarker of early transformation in gastric carcinogenesis.


2020 ◽  
Vol 04 (04) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shuai Ruan ◽  
Wenjie Huang ◽  
Fang Wen ◽  
Xiaona Lu ◽  
Su Ping Gu ◽  
...  

Author(s):  
Hazim Abdul Rahman Alhit

Editorial: Helicobacter pylori is a micro-aerophilic, helical-form gramnegative aggressive bacteria. Accordingly, the idiom “Helico” intimates its helical appearance, “bacter” symbolizes bacteria, while “pylori” denotes stomach due to the first and common site of this bacteria living. Further, Marshall B. and Warren R. observed and described it in 1982. Then, the followed investigators studied this bacterium in detail with its consequences and complexities [1]. Gastric upset (Indigestion), dyspepsia: means impaired gastric digestion. Accordingly, the patient complains of upper abdominal pain, heartburn, belching, nausea, even feeling earlier gastric fullness than expected while eating. Furthermore, there are many causes of indigestion like gastroesophageal reflux disease, ulcer disease, gastritis, and even gastric cancer. Hence, unexplained recent onset dyspepsia in older people may need additional examinations. Moreover, one of the common causes is Helicobacter pylori infection, which needs laboratory and endoscopic examination [2]. Argument Many theories investigated the etiology and pathogenesis of Helicobacter pylori infection, concerning chronic or acute gastritis. Hence, gastric upset is the main presentation of both types of gastritis. Evidences The genotype is valuable in determining the dominant Helicobacter pylori strains as the isolates were different genetically plus heterogeneous distribution. Accordingly, the vac and cag markers operate a significant function in defining clinical consequences. These virulence agents are present in a subset of Helicobacter pylori strains isolates like cagA, iceA, vacA, and ureC. Moreover, the cagA causes cytotoxins induction by the gastric epithelial cell as Interleukin 8 [3]. The molecular intercommunication researches exhibit that the act of acarus calamus in hindering biofilm formation in Helicobacter pylori is due to the inhibitory impact of phytobio-active component, β-sitosterol, on the quorum sensing molecules-ToxB, PhnB, DnaA, plus Sip. Consequently, this opinion may suggest the molecular mechanism of Helicobacter pylori in producing the acidrelated complaints and gives a clue to a new therapy [4]. Helicobacter pylori infection causes lncRNA risk impression linked to H. pylori in gastric cancer patients and can prognosticate the prediction of these patients [5]. There was a close relationship between raised serum IgE levels in Helicobacter pylori infected patients [6]. Counterargument The laboratory investigations of Helicobacter pylori infection depend on several factors like the fluctuations of serum antibody titers in a time series, the antigene detection in stool tests, the false-positive results of lab tests, or the manner of endoscopic biopsy collection. Furthermore, other factors like the variations in Cytotoxin-Associated Gene A (CagA) in East Asian patients. Moreover, the gastric nodularity or atrophy, the patient’s age, the severity of the gastric mucosal infection are causes of variations in Helicobacter pylori detection at the time of the investigation [7]. Refutation The significant markers of H. pylori, the presence of the vacuolating cytotoxin (vacA), the cytotoxin-associated gene A (cagA), which induced by the direct communication with gastric epithelium factor antigen (iceA gene), and the presence of urease C gene (ureC). Consequently, all these factors play the principal factors in deciding the gastric consequences of Helicobacter infections. Conclusion Helicobacter pylori induce gastric upset by several mechanisms to form numerous Gastric diseases.


Pathogens ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 65
Author(s):  
Mariateresa Casarotto ◽  
Chiara Pratesi ◽  
Ettore Bidoli ◽  
Stefania Maiero ◽  
Raffaella Magris ◽  
...  

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) represents an independent risk factor for Gastric Cancer (GC). First Degree Relatives (FDR) of GC subjects and Autoimmune Gastritis (AG) patients are both at increased risk for GC. H. pylori genetic heterogeneity within the gastric niche of FDR and AG individuals has been little explored. To understand whether they exploit an increased H. pylori stability and virulence, 14 AG, 25 FDR, 39 GC and 13 dyspeptic patients (D) were investigated by a cultural PCR-based approach characterizing single colonies-forming-units. We chose three loci within the Cytotoxin-associated gene-A Pathogenicity Island (CagPAI) (cagA,cagE,virB11), vacA, homA and homB as markers of virulence with reported association to GC. Inflammatory/precancerous lesions were staged according to Sydney System. When compared to D, FDR, similarly to GC patients, were associated to higher atrophy (OR = 6.29; 95% CI:1.23–31.96 in FDR; OR = 7.50; 95% CI:1.67–33.72 in GC) and a lower frequency of mixed infections (OR = 0.16; 95% CI:0.03–0.81 in FDR; OR = 0.10; 95% CI:0.02–0.48 in GC). FDR presented also an increased neutrophil infiltration (OR = 7.19; 95% CI:1.16–44.65). Both FDR and GC carried a higher proportion of CagPAI+vacAs1i1mx+homB+ profiles (OR = 2.71; 95% CI: 1.66–4.41 and OR = 3.43; 95% CI: 2.16–5.44, respectively). Conversely, AG patients presented a lower frequency of subtypes carrying a stable CagPAI and vacAs1i1mx. These results underline different H. pylori plasticity in FDR and AG individuals, and thus, a different host-bacterium interaction capacity that should be considered in the context of eradication therapies.


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