Significance of TC9 and TH9 in Helicobacter pylori-induced gastritis.

BACKGROUND: H pylori plays a critical role in the development of stomach cancer, especially in people affected by the bacteria at an early stage of life. Th9 cells and IL-9 play major roles in immune responses against various infections. IL-9 is influential in chronic or acute inflammation of the mucosa. AIM: This study seeks to investigate the possible functions of Tc9, Th9 cells, and IL-9 level in patients with inflammation due to H pylori infection. METHODS: Eighty-three patients with dyspepsia symptoms and twenty normal subjects with no sign and symptoms of dyspepsia were recruited. Frequencies of T-cell subsets were determined by flow cytometry. Levels of cytokines IL-9 family in the sera and supernatants of antigen-activated PBMCs patients were measured by ELISA and flow cytometry. RESULTS: The participants included 56 females and 47 males with a mean age of 39.2 ± 15.3 years. We assigned the infected group into peptic ulcer and gastritis (chronic active and chronic). Frequencies of Tc9, Th17, Tc17, Th17/9, and Tc17/9 increased significantly in the peptic ulcer, chronic active, and chronic gastritis, compared with the uninfected and healthy control groups. A significant increase was seen in IL-9, IL-4, and IL-23 in the chronic active gastritis. Further observed was a significant increase in IL-21 and a decrease in IL-10 in the infected groups. CONCLUSION: The results revealed that increased Tc9, Th17/9, and Tc17/9 cells appear to be influential in the progression and severity of H pylori infection. Also, increased IL-9 and IL-4 levels and Tc9, Tc17/9, and Th17/9 were seen in chronic active gastritis patients. These findings may provide useful information for a therapeutic targeting of chronic active H pylori infections.

The importance of TH22 and TC22 cells in the pathogenesis of Helicobacter pylori-associated gastric diseases.

BACKGROUND: An association exists between Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), peptic ulcers, gastritis, and sometimes gastric carcinomas. Th22 cells have protective and inflammatory roles in defense against microbes. AIM: We investigated the frequencies of Th22, Tc22, Th22/17, and Tc22/17 cells in addition to the changes in levels of cytokines IL-22, IL-6, IL-23, TNF-α, IL-1ß, and TGF-ß in sera from patients with H. pylori-associated gastritis, and peptic ulcer, and in uninfected patients. METHODS: A total of 76 patients with H. pylori-associated disorders formed the studied group. Frequencies of T-cell subsets were determined by flow cytometry. Levels of cytokines IL-22, IL-6, IL-23, TNF-α, IL-1ß, and TGF-ß in the sera and supernatants of patients were measured by ELISA and flow cytometry. RESULTS: The study participants included 32 males and 44 females with a mean age of 38.5±15.3 years. We divided the infected group into peptic ulcer and gastritis (mild, moderate, active chronic, and chronic). The frequencies of Th22, Tc22, and Tc22/17 increased significantly in the peptic ulcer, moderate, active chronic, and chronic gastritis groups compared to the uninfected group. Th22/17 only increased significantly in the chronic gastritis group. We observed significant increases in IL-22 in the moderate and active chronic gastritis, IL-23 in the active chronic and chronic gastritis, and TNF-α in the peptic ulcer and moderate gastritis groups. Following in vitro antigenic stimulation, we observed significantly higher levels of IL-1ß, IL-23, and IL-6 in the active chronic gastritis group, as well as IL-6 and IL-1ß in the chronic gastritis group compared to the uninfected group. CONCLUSION: Increased Th22, Tc22, and Tc22/17 cells and IL-22 levels appear to be influential in progression and severity of H. pylori infection. Th22/17 can be an interesting therapeutic target for chronic H. pylori infections where eradication is more difficult.