Helicobacter pylori gastritis in children is associated with a regulatory T-cell response

Harris, PR; Wright, SW; Serrano, C.; Riera F; Duarte, I; Torres J.; Peña A; Rollan, A; Viviani, P; Guiraldes E.; Schmitz, JM; Lorenz, RG; Novak, L; Smythies, LE; Smith, PD

Abstract

Background & Aims: Helicobacter pylori infection in children infrequently causes gastroduodenal mucosal ulceration. Because H pylori induces T-cell dependent gastric inflammation in adults and T regulatory (Treg) cells suppress T-cell-dependent pathology, we evaluated gastric histopathology and Treg cell responses in H pylori-infected children and adults. Methods: Gastric tissue from 36 children and 79 adults with abdominal symptoms in Santiago, Chile, was evaluated prospectively for H pylori bacteria and histopathology using the Sydney classification and Treg responses using immunoassay, immunohistochemistry, and real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results: Eighteen (50%) of the children and 51 (65%) of the adults were infected with H pylori. Children and adults were colonized with similar levels of H pylori. However, the level of gastritis in the children was reduced substantially compared with that of the adults (P < .05). Coincident with reduced gastric inflammation, the number of Treg cells and levels of Treg cytokines (transforming growth factor [TGF]-β1 and interleukin-10) were increased markedly in the gastric mucosa of H pylori-infected children compared with that of infected adults (P < .03 and < .05, respectively). Also, H pylori infection in the children was associated with markedly increased levels of gastric TGF-β1 and interleukin-10 messenger RNA. Importantly, gastric TGF-β1 in H pylori-infected children localized predominantly to mucosal CD25+ and Foxp3+ cells, indicating a Treg source for the TGF-β1. Conclusions: Gastric pathology is reduced and local Treg cell responses are increased in H pylori-infected children compared with infected adults, suggesting that gastric Treg cell responses down-regulate the inflammation and ulceration induced by H pylori in children. © 2008 AGA Institute.

Más información

Título según WOS: Helicobacter pylori gastritis in children is associated with a regulatory T-cell response
Título según SCOPUS: Helicobacter pylori Gastritis in Children Is Associated With a Regulatory T-Cell Response
Título de la Revista: GASTROENTEROLOGY
Volumen: 134
Número: 2
Editorial: W B SAUNDERS CO-ELSEVIER INC
Fecha de publicación: 2008
Página de inicio: 491
Página final: 499
Idioma: English
URL: http://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0016508507019968
DOI:

10.1053/j.gastro.2007.11.006

Notas: ISI, SCOPUS