Role of Helicobacter pylori CagA molecular variations in induction of host phenotypes with carcinogenic potential

J Infect Dis. 2009 Apr 15;199(8):1218-21. doi: 10.1086/597416.

Abstract

Helicobacter pylori cagA-positive strains exert population-specific risks for gastric cancer. We determined whether variations in CagA phosphorylation motifs were associated with carcinogenic or proinflammatory epithelial phenotypes induced by strains from regions with divergent cancer risks (Colombia and Nashville, TN). Motif number was significantly related to levels of CagA phosphorylation and cytoskeletal abnormalities. Precancerous isolates possessed a higher number of motifs, and precancerous strains from Nashville induced higher levels of IL-8 than Colombian strains. These results indicate that CagA variants are linked with premalignant lesions in distinct populations and that epithelial responses to these strains are selective based upon locale.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Motifs
  • Antigens, Bacterial / genetics*
  • Antigens, Bacterial / metabolism
  • Bacterial Proteins / genetics*
  • Bacterial Proteins / metabolism
  • Carcinoma / complications
  • Carcinoma / epidemiology
  • Carcinoma / microbiology*
  • Cell Line
  • Colombia / epidemiology
  • Female
  • Helicobacter Infections / complications*
  • Helicobacter Infections / microbiology
  • Helicobacter pylori / classification*
  • Helicobacter pylori / metabolism
  • Host-Pathogen Interactions
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Phenotype
  • Phosphorylation
  • Protein Isoforms
  • Risk Factors
  • Stomach Neoplasms / complications
  • Stomach Neoplasms / epidemiology
  • Stomach Neoplasms / microbiology*
  • Tennessee / epidemiology

Substances

  • Antigens, Bacterial
  • Bacterial Proteins
  • Protein Isoforms
  • cagA protein, Helicobacter pylori