Background: The cytokines induced by Helicobacter pylori, as well as the intricate balance of proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines, are relevant to the outcomes of H. pylori infection. Transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta and interleukin (IL)-10 are 2 vital anti-inflammatory cytokines that regulate mucosal immunity in various inflammatory and infectious diseases.
Methods: To elucidate whether host-bacteria interaction can influence TGF-beta and IL-10 production, we investigated the expression of TGF-beta and IL-10 in various mammalian cell lines preincubated with H. pylori and other enteric bacteria.
Results: The amount of TGF-beta protein, but not IL-10, was significantly increased after stimulation with H. pylori, but other enteric bacteria did not induce TGF- beta production. Different H. pylori strains isolated from patients with gastritis, peptic ulcer, gastric cancer and strains with cagA or vacA isogenic mutations showed similar effects on TGF-beta induction, indicating that this effect was a constitutional characteristic of H. pylori and independent of cagA and vacA status.
Conclusion: The results imply the presence of a protein factor (termed "TGF-beta-inducing protein") that induces production of TGF-beta. In view of the multiple effects of TGF-beta , we conclude the TGF-beta-inducing protein of H. pylori might mediate the immune response and contribute to the pathogenesis of H. pylori infection.