Regulation of cellular immunity prevents Helicobacter pylori-induced atherosclerosis

Lupus. 2009 Nov;18(13):1154-68. doi: 10.1177/0961203309106600.

Abstract

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a predominant pathogen that causes not only gastroduodenal diseases but also extra-alimentary tract diseases. In this study, we demonstrated that H. pylori infection promoted atherogenesis in heterozygous apoe(+/ --) ldlr(+/--) mice. The male mice were fed with high fat diet from the age of 6 weeks. At the age of 16 weeks, development of atherosclerotic lesions was observed in the H. pylori-infected mice, and it seemed to be associated with an elevation of Th1-immune response against H. pylori origin-heat shock protein 60 (Hp-HSP60) and an increment of transendothelial migration of T cells. Subcutaneous immunisation with Hp-HSP60 or H. pylori eradication with antibiotics significantly reduced the progression of atherosclerosis, accompanied by a decline of Th1 differentiation and reduction of their chemotaxis beyond the endothelium. Thus, oral infection with H. pylori accelerates atherosclerosis in mice and the active immunisation with Hp-HSP60 or the eradication of H. pylori with antibiotics can moderate/prevent cellular immunity, resulting in a reduction of atherosclerosis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Apolipoproteins E / genetics
  • Apolipoproteins E / metabolism
  • Atherosclerosis / etiology*
  • Atherosclerosis / immunology
  • Atherosclerosis / microbiology*
  • Atherosclerosis / pathology
  • Cell Movement / physiology
  • Chaperonin 60 / genetics
  • Chaperonin 60 / immunology
  • Chemokines / immunology
  • Dietary Fats
  • Endothelial Cells / cytology
  • Endothelial Cells / metabolism
  • Helicobacter Infections* / complications
  • Helicobacter Infections* / immunology
  • Helicobacter pylori / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Immunity, Cellular / immunology*
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Receptors, CXCR3 / genetics
  • Receptors, CXCR3 / metabolism
  • Receptors, LDL / genetics
  • Receptors, LDL / metabolism
  • Th1 Cells / immunology

Substances

  • Apolipoproteins E
  • Chaperonin 60
  • Chemokines
  • Cxcr3 protein, mouse
  • Dietary Fats
  • Receptors, CXCR3
  • Receptors, LDL