Associations between seroprevalence of Helicobacter pylori and ABO/rhesus blood group antigens in healthy blood donors in southwest Iran

Objective To investigate correlations between ABO/rhesus (Rh) blood group antigens and anti- Helicobacter pylori and anti-cytotoxin-associated gene A (CagA) seropositivity in blood donors. Methods A total of 311 blood donors were enrolled. ABO and Rh blood groups were determined using hemagglutination tests. Specific anti- H. pylori IgG and anti-CagA IgG antibodies in sera were quantitated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Correlations between blood groups and anti- H. pylori and anti-CagA seropositivity were evaluated using the Chi-square test. Results O+ was the most frequent blood type (38%, n = 118). Anti- H. pylori IgG seropositivity was observed in 240 (77.2%) blood donors, while anti-CagA IgG seropositivity was observed in 132 (42.5%) blood donors. Although seropositivity rates for both anti- H. pylori and anti-CagA IgG were higher in individuals with blood type O, no statistically significant associations were observed between seropositivity and any ABO/Rh blood groups. Conclusion Individuals with blood type O may have higher rates of H. pylori seropositivity.

Helicobacter Pylori Induce Gastric Upset

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.

Helicobacter pylori CagA EPIYA Motif Variations Affect Metabolic Activity in B Cells

Background: Helicobacter pylori (Hp) colonizes the human stomach and can induce gastric cancer and mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma. Clinical observations suggest a role for the Hp virulence factor cytotoxin-associated gene A (CagA) in pathogenesis. The pathogenic activity of CagA is partly regulated by tyrosine phosphorylation of C-terminal Glu-Pro-Ile-Tyr-Ala (EPIYA) motifs in host cells. However, CagA differs considerably in EPIYA motifs, whose functions have been well characterized in epithelial cells. Since CagA is fragmented in immune cells, different CagA variants may exhibit undetected functions in B cells. Methods: B cells were infected with Hp isolates and isogenic mutants expressing different CagA EPIYA variants. CagA translocation and tyrosine phosphorylation were investigated by Western blotting. Apoptosis was analyzed by flow cytometry and metabolic activity was detected by an MTT assay. Results: Isogenic CagA EPIYA variants are equally well translocated into B cells, followed by tyrosine phosphorylation and cleavage. B cell apoptosis was induced in a CagA-independent manner. However, variants containing at least one EPIYA-C motif affected metabolic activity independently of phosphorylation or multiplication of EPIYA-C motifs. Conclusions: The diverse structure of CagA regulates B cell physiology, whereas B cell survival is independent of CagA.

Statins’ Regulation of the Virulence Factors of Helicobacter pylori and the Production of ROS May Inhibit the Development of Gastric Cancer

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.

Genotyping of Helicobacter pylori Virulence Genes cagA and vacA: Regional and National Study

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of gastritis, peptic ulcer, and gastric cancer. The presence of pathogenicity islands (PAI) genes contributes to the pathogenesis of many gastrointestinal disorders. Cytotoxin-associated gene A (cagA) and vacuolating cytotoxin gene (vacA) are the most known virulence genes in H. pylori. So, our aim was to study H. pylori virulence genes’ role in gastric disorders pathogenesis. Our study included 150 adult patients who suffered dyspeptic symptoms and were referred to the GIT endoscopy unit. Gastric biopsies were attained for rapid urease test (RUT) and histopathological examination, and multiplex PCR technique for detection of virulence genes was performed. It was found that 100 specimens were (RUT) positive, of which sixty samples (60%) were PCR positive for H. pylori ureC gene. The vacA and cagA genes were identified in 61.6% and 53% of H. pylori strains, respectively. Only 5 cases were vacA-positive and cagA-negative. The most virulent vacA s1 allele existed in 56.6% of cases. Out of the 60 H. pylori strains, 66% had at least one virulence gene and 34% did not show any virulence gene. H. pylori infection showed significant increase with age. H. pylori are prevalent amid dyspeptic patients in our region. The main genotype combinations were vacA+/cagA+ of s1m1 genotype and they were frequently associated with peptic ulcer diseases, gastritis, and gastroesophageal reflux disease.

Revisiting the Full Spectrum of Helicobacter pylori-Related Gastric Lymphoma

Early stage gastric diffuse large B-cell lymphomas (DLBCLs) with histological features of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) origin (DLBCL[MALT]) are also closely related to Helicobacter pylori (HP) infection, apart from the classical gastric MALT lymphoma, and are cured by HP eradication therapy (HPE). Whether some gastric “pure” DLBCLs (without histological features of MALT) are also HP-related is clinically very important, since this subtype of gastric lymphoma is relatively common in the population and is still universally treated with intensive systemic chemotherapy. A large proportion of early stage gastric “pure” DLBCL can achieve long-term complete remission after HPE. However, the precise mechanisms of HP-dependent (with complete regression of tumors after HPE) lymphomagenesis of gastric “pure” DLBCL, DLBCL(MALT), and MALT lymphoma remain uncertain. In the classical conception, gastric MALT lymphoma is indirectly caused by HP through T-cell stimulation, with the aid of costimulatory molecules. To explore the direct interactions between HP and lymphoma B-cells of HP-dependent gastric MALT lymphoma, DLBCL(MALT), and “pure” DLBCLs, we assessed the participation of HP-encoded cytotoxin-associated gene A (CagA) in the lymphomagenesis of these tumors. We discovered that CagA oncogenic protein and its regulated signaling molecules including phospho-Src homology-2 domain-containing phosphatase (p-SHP-2) and phospho-extracellular signal-regulated kinase (p-ERK) correlated significantly with HP-dependence of gastric MALT lymphoma. This finding supports previous observations that the CagA protein of HP can be translocated into B-cell lymphoma cells, thereby leading to survival signals. Furthermore, we demonstrated that HP-positive and CagA-expressing gastric “pure” DLBCLs behave in a less biologically aggressive manner, and have better clinical outcomes; this is a distinguishing entity, and its cell origin may include germinal center B cells. In addition, we found that the expression of CagA, p-SHP-2, and p-ERK correlated significantly with the HP-dependence of gastric DLBCL(MALT) and “pure” DLBCL. These findings indicate that the spectrum of HP-related gastric lymphomas including MALT lymphoma, DLBCL(MALT), and “pure” DLBCL, is much wider than was previously thought. Further explorations of the spectrum, lymphomagenesis, and therapeutics of HP-related gastric lymphoma are warranted.

Cytotoxin-Associated Gene A-Positive Helicobacter pylori Promotes Autophagy in Colon Cancer Cells by Inhibiting miR-125b-5p

Objectives. To investigate the effects of cytotoxin-associated gene A- (CagA-) positive Helicobacter pylori on proliferation, invasion, autophagy, and expression of miR-125b-5p in colon cancer cells. Methods. Colon cancer cells were cocultured with H. pylori (CagA+) to analyze the effects of H. pylori on miR-125b-5p and autophagy. Colon cancer cells infected with H. pylori (CagA+) were mimicked by transfection of CagA plasmid. The effects of CagA on the proliferation, invasion, and autophagy of colon cancer cells were analyzed. Cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8), clone formation, and Transwell assays were used to detect cell viability, proliferation, and invasion ability, respectively. Proteins and miRNAs were detected by western blotting and qPCR, respectively. Results. H. pylori (CagA+) inhibited expression of miR-125b-5p and promoted autophagy in colon cancer cells. MiR-125 b-5p was underexpressed in colon cancer cells after CagA overexpression. CagA promoted colon cancer cell proliferation, invasion, and autophagy. Overexpression of miR-125b-5p inhibited the proliferation, invasion, and autophagy of colon cancer cells and reversed the effects of CagA. Conclusion. H. pylori (CagA+) infection may promote the development and invasion of colon cancer by inhibiting miR-125b-5p.