Korean J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr.  2003 Mar;6(1):1-9.

The Genotypes of Helicobacter pylori, Gastric Epithelial Cell Proliferation and Apoptosis in Children

• Jung JA
• Lee MA
• Seo JW

Abstract

PURPOSE: To investigate the relation of the gastric epithelial cell proliferation, apoptosis and genotypes of H. pylori in children.
METHODS
Histologic grading by updated Sydney system, PCNA immunostaining, TUNEL method and the genotypes (cagA, picB and iceA) by PCR were performed in H. pylori positive (N=20) and negative (N=20) gastric biopsy specimens.
RESULTS
PCNA index was significantly different between H. pylori positive children (77.4+/-13.12) and H. pylori negative children (52.3+/-12.20) (p=0.000). There were positive correlations between PCNA index and H. pylori density (r=0.624, p=0.000), polymorphonuclear neutrophil activity (r=0.460, p=0.005) and chronic inflammation (r=0.433, p=0.009). Apoptosis index of H. pylori positive children (0.70+/-0.411) was significantly higher than of H. pylori negative children (0.14+/-0.201) (p=0.000). Positive correlations between apoptosis index and H. pylori density (r=0.691, p=0.000), polymorphonuclear neutrophil activity (r=0.585, p=0.000) and chronic inflammation (r=0.535, p=0.001) were noted. As PCNA index increased, apoptosis index significantly increased (r=0.527, p=0.001). The positive rates of genotypes were cagA 90%, picB 75%, iceA1 60% and iceA2 15%, respectively. There were no significant correlations between the status of the genotypes and PCNA index, apoptosis index, the endoscopic findings and the histologic findings.
CONCLUSION
PCNA index and apoptosis index in H. pylori positive children were higher than in H. pylori negative children but were not related to H. pylori genotypes. This study suggested that correlatively increased gastric epithelial cell proliferation and apoptosis are important to pathogenesis of H. pylori infection in children.

Keyword

Helicobacter pylori; Gastric epithelial cell; Proliferation; Apoptosis; cagA; picB; iceA

MeSH Terms

Apoptosis*
Biopsy
Child*
Epithelial Cells*
Genotype*
Helicobacter pylori*
Helicobacter*
Humans
In Situ Nick-End Labeling
Inflammation
Neutrophils
Polymerase Chain Reaction
Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen
Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen