Implications of silver nanoparticles for H. pylori infection: modulation of CagA function and signaling

Front Cell Infect Microbiol. 2024 Jun 25:14:1419568. doi: 10.3389/fcimb.2024.1419568. eCollection 2024.

Abstract

Background: Helicobacter pylori infection poses a significant health burden worldwide, and its virulence factor CagA plays a pivotal role in its pathogenesis.

Methods: In this study, the interaction between H. pylori-infected AGS cells and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) was investigated, with a focus on the modulation of CagA-mediated responses, investigated by western blotting. Both, the dose-dependent efficacy against H. pylori (growth curves, CFU assay) and the impact of the nanoparticles on AGS cells (MTT assay) were elucidated.

Results: AGS cells infected with H. pylori displayed dramatic morphological changes, characterized by elongation and a migratory phenotype, attributed to CagA activity. Preincubation of H. pylori with AgNPs affected these morphological changes in a concentration-dependent manner, suggesting a correlation between AgNPs concentration and CagA function.

Conclusion: Our study highlights the nuanced interplay between host-pathogen interactions and the therapeutic potential of AgNPs in combating H. pylori infection and offers valuable insights into the multifaceted dynamics of CagA mediated responses.

Keywords: AGS; CagA; H. pylori; IL-8; infection; minimum inhibitory concentration; silver nanoparticles.

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology
  • Antigens, Bacterial* / metabolism
  • Bacterial Proteins* / metabolism
  • Cell Line
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Epithelial Cells / microbiology
  • Helicobacter Infections* / drug therapy
  • Helicobacter Infections* / microbiology
  • Helicobacter pylori* / drug effects
  • Host-Pathogen Interactions
  • Humans
  • Metal Nanoparticles*
  • Signal Transduction* / drug effects
  • Silver* / metabolism
  • Silver* / pharmacology
  • Virulence Factors / metabolism

Substances

  • cagA protein, Helicobacter pylori
  • Bacterial Proteins
  • Antigens, Bacterial
  • Silver
  • Virulence Factors
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents