A critical role for IL-7R signaling in the development of Helicobacter felis–induced gastritis in mice

• Published in: Gastroenterology (New York, N.Y. 1943) Vol. 121; no. 2; pp. 329 - 336
• Main Authors: Ohana, Masaya, Okazaki, Kazuichi, Oshima, Chikashi, Andra's, Debreceni, Nishi, Toshiki, Uchida, Kazushige, Uose, Suguru, Nakase, Hiroshi, Matsushima, Yumi, Chiba, Tsutomu
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY Elsevier Inc 01-08-2001; Elsevier
• Subjects: Animals; Antibodies, Bacterial - blood; Biological and medical sciences; Body Weight; Digestive system; Gastric Mucosa - microbiology; Gastric Mucosa - pathology; Gastritis - microbiology; Gastritis - pathology; Gastritis - physiopathology; Gene Expression - immunology; Helicobacter Infections - immunology; Helicobacter Infections - pathology; Helicobacter Infections - physiopathology; Interleukin-1 - genetics; Interleukin-1 - immunology; Interleukin-7 - analysis; Interleukin-7 - genetics; Interleukin-7 - immunology; Investigative techniques, diagnostic techniques (general aspects); Lymph Nodes - pathology; Medical sciences; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Pathology. Cytology. Biochemistry. Spectrometry. Miscellaneous investigative techniques; Receptors, Interleukin-7 - analysis; Receptors, Interleukin-7 - genetics; Receptors, Interleukin-7 - immunology; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; RNA, Messenger - analysis; Signal Transduction - immunology; Spleen - pathology; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha - genetics; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha - immunology; IFN; NF-κB; IL-7R; IL; TNF; PCR; Immunohistochemistry; Spirillales; Pathophysiology; Cytokine; Rodentia; Spirillaceae; Receptor potential; Gastritis; Pathology; Interleukin 7; Vertebrata; Mammalia; Mouse; Animal; Development; Digestive diseases; Bacteria; Helicobacter felis; Gastric disease
• ISSN: 0016-5085; 1528-0012
• DOI: 10.1053/gast.2001.26289

Background & Aims: Interleukin (IL)-7 is a critical cytokine in the development of T and B cells and is involved in gastrointestinal pathophysiology.The aim of this study was to investigate the involvement of IL-7 receptor (IL-7R) signaling in Helicobacter-induced gastritis.Methods: C57BL/6 mice (n = 40) were inoculated with H.felis.Twenty mice were injected intraperitoneally with neutralizing IL-7R antibody (A7R34) every seventh day for 3 months.Histology, serum anti–H.felis antibody, and gene expression of IL-7, IL-7R, and proinflammatory cytokines in the gastric mucosa were evaluated.Results: Seventeen of 20 (85%) infected mice without A7R34 developed severe atrophic gastritis, whereas there was no gastritis in A7R34-treated infected mice.There was no difference in the serum levels of anti–H.felis antibody between the 2 groups.IL-7, IL-7R, IL-1α, tumor necrosis factor α, and interferon γ messenger RNA expressions were up-regulated in control infected mice, whereas only IL-7 messenger RNA was up-regulated in A7R34-treated infected mice.Immunohistochemistry indicated positive cytoplasmic staining of IL-7 in the gastric epithelial cells.Conclusions: These data suggest a critical role for IL-7 receptor signaling in the development of Helicobacter-induced gastritis in mice.
GASTROENTEROLOGY 2001;121:329-336