Coordinate increase of telomerase activity and c-Myc expression in Helicobacter pylori-associated gastric diseases

Stomach-specific c-Myc overexpression drives gastric adenoma in mice through AKT/mammalian target of rapamycin signaling

Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the most common malignant cancers in the world. c-Myc, a well-known oncogene, is commonly amplified in many cancers, including gastric cancer. However, it is still not completely understood how c-Myc functions in GC. Here, we generated a stomach-specific c-Myc transgenic mouse model to investigate its role in GC. We found that overexpression of c-Myc in Atp4b+ gastric parietal cells could induce gastric adenoma in mice. Mechanistically, c-Myc promoted tumorigenesis via the AKT/mTOR pathway. Furthermore, AKT inhibitor (MK-2206) or mTOR inhibitor (Rapamycin) inhibited the proliferation of c-Myc overexpressing gastric cancer cell lines. Thus, our findings highlight that gastric tumorigenesis can be induced by c-Myc overexpression through activation of the AKT/mTOR pathway.

Tampering of Viruses and Bacteria with Host DNA Repair: Implications for Cellular Transformation

A reduced ability to properly repair DNA is linked to a variety of human diseases, which in almost all cases is associated with an increased probability of the development of cellular transformation and cancer. DNA damage, that ultimately can lead to mutations and genomic instability, is due to many factors, such as oxidative stress, metabolic disorders, viral and microbial pathogens, excess cellular proliferation and chemical factors. In this review, we examine the evidence connecting DNA damage and the mechanisms that viruses and bacteria have evolved to hamper the pathways dedicated to maintaining the integrity of genetic information, thus affecting the ability of their hosts to repair the damage(s). Uncovering new links between these important aspects of cancer biology might lead to the development of new targeted therapies in DNA-repair deficient cancers and improving the efficacy of existing therapies. Here we provide a comprehensive summary detailing the major mechanisms that viruses and bacteria associated with cancer employ to interfere with mechanisms of DNA repair. Comparing these mechanisms could ultimately help provide a common framework to better understand how certain microorganisms are involved in cellular transformation.

MicroRNA-92a-1-5p increases CDX2 by targeting FOXD1 in bile acids-induced gastric intestinal metaplasia

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Gastric intestinal metaplasia (IM) is common in the gastric epithelium of patients with chronic atrophic gastritis. CDX2 activation in IM is driven by reflux of bile acids and following chronic inflammation. But the mechanism underlying how bile acids activate CDX2 in gastric epithelium has not been fully explored.

METHODS

We performed microRNA (miRNA) and messenger RNA (mRNA) profiling using microarray in cells treated with bile acids. Data integration of the miRNA/mRNA profiles with gene ontology (GO) analysis and bioinformatics was performed to detect potential miRNA-mRNA regulatory circuits. Transfection of gastric cancer cell lines with miRNA mimics and inhibitors was used to evaluate their effects on the expression of candidate targets and functions. Immunohistochemistry and in situhybridisation were used to detect the expression of selected miRNAs and their targets in IM tissue microarrays.

RESULTS

We demonstrate a bile acids-triggered pathway involving upregulation of miR-92a-1-5p and suppression of its target FOXD1 in gastric cells. We first found that miR-92a-1-5p was increased in IM tissues and induced by bile acids. Moreover, miR-92a-1-5p was found to activate CDX2 and downstream intestinal markers by targeting FOXD1/FOXJ1 axis and modulating activation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) pathway. Furthermore, these effects were found to be clinical relevant, as high miR-92a-1-5p levels were correlated with low FOXD1 levels and high CDX2 levels in IM tissues.

CONCLUSION

These findings suggest a miR-92a-1-5p/FOXD1/NF-κB/CDX2 regulatory axis plays key roles in the generation of IM phenotype from gastric cells. Suppression of miR-92a-1-5p and restoration of FOXD1 may be a preventive approach for gastric IM in patients with bile regurgitation.

A lucid review of Helicobacter pylori-induced DNA damage in gastric cancer

Helicobacter pylori (H pylori) is the main risk factor for gastric cancer (GC). In recent years, many studies have addressed the effects of H pylori itself and of H pylori-induced chronic inflammation on DNA damage. Unrepaired or inappropriately repaired DNA damage is one possible carcinogenic mechanism. We may conclude that H pylori-induced DNA damage is one of the carcinogenic mechanisms of GC. In this review, we summarize the interactions between H pylori and DNA damage and the effects of H pylori-induced DNA damage on GC. Then, focusing on oxidative stress, we introduce the application of antioxidants in GC. At the end of this review, we discuss the outlook for further research on H pylori-induced DNA damage.

The diagnostic value of serum gastrokine 1 (GKN1) protein in gastric cancer

Early detection of cancer provides effective treatment and saves lives. The objective of this study was to determine whether serum gastrokine 1 (GKN1) protein is a gastric cancer‐specific diagnostic biomarker. The serum concentration of GKN1 in healthy individuals (median: 6.34 ng/μL, interquartile range (IQR): 5.66‐7.54 ng/μL) was significantly higher compared with the levels in gastric cancer patients (median: 3.48 ng/μL, IQR: 2.90‐4.11 ng/μL; P < .0001). At the optimum cutoff (4.94 ng/μL) of serum GKN1 protein, the sensitivity and specificity were 91.2% and 96.0%, respectively, for gastric cancer. Using serum GKN1 protein as the diagnostic reference, the ROC curve showed a satisfactory diagnostic efficacy with an AUC value of 0.9954 (95% CI 0.9919‐0.9988) and Youden index of 0.8740. In addition, the diagnostic accuracy of the serum GKN1 protein at the optimum cutoff was 0.9675. Interestingly, serum GKN1 concentrations in patients with advanced gastric cancer (AGC; median: 3.11 ng/μL, IQR: 2.72‐3.72 ng/μL) were lower than in patients with early gastric cancer (EGC; median: 4.31 ng/μL, IQR: 3.88‐4.88 ng/μL). The diagnostic accuracies at the optimum serum GKN1 cutoff were 0.8912 and 0.9589 for EGC and AGC, respectively. Furthermore, the serum GKN1 concentrations robustly discriminated the patients with gastric cancer from the patients with colorectal, liver, lung, breast, pancreatic, ovary, and prostatic cancers with AUC values greater than 0.94. These data suggest that serum GKN1 is a promising and highly specific diagnostic biomarker for the prompt detection of early and advanced gastric cancers.

TRP channels in gastric cancer: New hopes and clinical perspectives

Gastric cancer is a multifactorial disease associated with a combination of and environmental factors. Each year, one million new gastric cancer cases are diagnosed worldwide and two-thirds end up losing the battle with this devastating disease. Currently, surgery represents the only effective treatment option for patients with early stage tumors. However, the asymptomatic phenotype of this disease during the early stages poses as a significant limiting factor to diagnosis and often renders treatments ineffective. To address these issues, scientists are focusing on personalized medicine and discovering new ways to treat cancer patients. Emerging therapeutic options include the transient receptor potential (TRP) channels. Since their discovery, TRP channels have been shown to contribute significantly to the pathophysiology of various cancers, including gastric cancer. This review will summarize the current knowledge about gastric cancer and provide a synopsis of recent advancements on the role and involvement of TRP channels in gastric cancer as well as a discussion of the benefits of targeting TPR channel in the clinical management of gastric cancer.

Inflammatory responses induced by Helicobacter pylori on the carcinogenesis of gastric epithelial GES‑1 cells

Helicobacter pylori (HP) is a pathogenic bacterium associated with chronic gastritis, gastric ulcer and gastric cancer. In the present study, the primary carcinogenesis process of normal gastric epithelial cells (GES‑1) infected with HP was investigated. It was determined that infected gastric mucosal epithelial GES‑1 cells secreted increased interleukin‑8 (IL‑8) and IL‑23, and exhibited enhanced expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase‑2, inducing inflammatory reactions and resulting in apoptosis. The bacterial infection significantly increased the expression of carcinogenesis‑associated genes, including p16, c‑Myc, p53 and p21, as well as the expression of cell surface signaling molecules cluster of differentiation 44 (CD44) and CD54 in GES‑1 cells or tissues of patients with gastritis and gastric cancer in vitro or in vivo. Simultaneously, the migration and invasion abilities of normal gastric epithelial GES‑1 cells were increased following HP infection. These observations demonstrated that the inflammatory response of HP infection could cause normal gastric epithelial cells to undergo significant cancerous reactions, indicating that HP is a risk factor for gastric cancer.

Genetic and molecular aspects of Helicobacter pylori in gastritis, pre- cancerous conditions and gastric adenocrcinoma

Gastric adenocarcinoma is one of the most common malignancies worldwide. Many ethological causes have been introduced among which helicobacter pylori, as a gram-negative bacterium has been considered as an important pathological facilitating factor. This agent is also associated with different digestive diseases, such as gastritis, peptic ulcer, and mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma. Recently, scientists have been described some molecular aspects that show the role of some apoptotic genes and proteins; for example: P53, Bcl2, C-Myc and Rb-suppressor systems in the H. pylori pathogenesis. Also the relationship between nitric oxide (NOSi genotype) with H. pylori infection has been shown. The aim of this mini-review is to explain better these genetically aspects of H.pylori pathogenesis.

hTERT, MYC and TP53 deregulation in gastric preneoplastic lesions

Background

Gastric cancer is a serious public health problem in Northern Brazil and in the world due to its high incidence and mortality. Despite the severity of the disease, more research is needed to better understand the molecular events involved in this intestinal-type gastric carcinogenesis process. Since precancerous lesions precede intestinal-type gastric cancer, here, we evaluated the hTERT, MYC, and TP53 mRNA and protein expression, as well as TP33 copy number, in gastric preneoplastic lesions.

Methods

We evaluated 19 superficial gastritis, 18 atrophic gastritis, and 18 intestinal metaplasia from cancer-free individuals of Northern Brazil. Quantitative reverse transcription PCR was used to analyze the mRNA expression and immunohistochemical methods were used to assess protein immunoreactivity in tissue samples. The number of TP53 gene copies was investigated in gastric diseases by quantitative PCR.

Results

We observed hTERT, MYC, and p53 immunoreactivity only in intestinal metaplasia samples. The immunoreactivity of these proteins was strongly associated with each other. A significantly higher MYC mRNA expression was observed in intestinal metaplasia compared to gastritis samples. Loss of TP53 was also only detected in intestinal metaplasia specimens.

Conclusions

We demonstrated that hTERT, MYC, and TP53 are deregulated in intestinal metaplasia of individuals from Northern Brazil and these alterations may facilitate tumor initiation.

Down-regulation of c-Myc expression inhibits the invasion of bile duct carcinoma cells

Cholangiocarcinoma is the second most common primary hepatic tumour originating from biliary tract epithelial cells with poor prognosis. Enhanced c-Myc protein expression contributes to many aspects of tumour cell biology. Although the ability of c-Myc to drive unrestricted cell proliferation and to inhibit cell differentiation had been well recognized, whether down-regulated c-Myc expression can inhibit tumour cell invasion still remains to be explored. The c-Myc ASODN (antisense oligodeoxyribonucleotide) and NSODN (nonsense oligodeoxyribonucleotide) were designed, synthesized and transfected into human QBC939 bile duct carcinoma cells using the Lipofectamine 2000 reagent. The protein expression of c-Myc was detected by Western blot. A transwell experiment was applied to evaluate the invasive capacity of the QBC939 cells. c-Myc ASODN could significantly suppress the c-Myc protein expression (P<0.05) and the invasion (P<0.01) of QBC939 cells transfected with c-Myc ASODN compared with that in the control and c-Myc NSODN-transfected group. Thus in the present study we show that down-regulation of c-Myc expression can inhibit the invasion of QBC939 cells in vitro.

Differential expression of MYC in H. pylori-related intestinal and diffuse gastric tumors

Evidence suggests that the carcinogenic process guided by Helicobacter pylori is related to the expression of cell cycle and apoptosis proteins as BCL-2, BAX, and MYC. However, the literature is conflicting regarding the expression frequency in the histological subtypes and did not consider cagA gene presence. To investigate the expression of these proteins considering the histological subtypes of gastric cancer associated with H. pylori (cagA), a total of 89 cases were used. H. pylori infection and cagA status were determined by PCR. Immunodetection was performed for MYC, BCL-2, and BAX proteins. H. pylori was found in 95.5% of the patients, among them, 65.8% were cagA(+). Nuclear MYC was detected in 36.4%, BAX in 55.7%, while BCl-2 in just 5%. Nuclear MYC staining was significantly lower in the intestinal than diffuse subtype (p = 0.008) and was related with the presence of H. pylori cagA(+). Additionally, most of the few cases cytoplasmic MYC positive were in the intestinal subtype. In diffuse tumors, although most nuclear MYC positive cases were cagA(+), it was not significant. No difference was observed between BCL-2 or BAX expression considering the presence of cagA gene in the histological subtypes. It seems that MYC could be relevant for the diffuse tumorigenic pathway associated with H. pylori and possibly influenced by the presence of cagA gene, while in intestinal tumors, the tumorigenic pathway does not occur through the MYC expression.

p27KIP1 expression in gastric cancer: differential pathways in the histological subtypes associated with Helicobacter pylori infection

OBJECTIVE

Decreases in p27(KIP1) and C-MYC expression have been associated with Helicobacter pylori infection. Furthermore, C-MYC seems to be a transcriptional repressor of p27(KIP1). Therefore, in a series of gastric adenocarcinomas we studied the association of p27(KIP1) expression with H. pylori genotype (vacA, cagA, cagE and virB11) and the involvement of C-MYC in this process.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Expression of p27(KIP1) and C-MYC was determined by immunohistochemistry in 84 gastric adenocarcinoma samples and H. pylori infection and genotype were determined by polymerase chain reaction.

RESULTS

Most p27(KIP1)-negative cases (94.0%) were H. pylori-positive and 44.8% were C-MYC-positive. In the diffuse gastric cancer subtype, p27-negative-C-MYC-positive was the most frequent combination (cluster II), and was associated with the more pathogenic H. pylori strains. Although an association with p27(KIP1) and H. pylori strain was found in the intestinal gastric cancer subtype, negativity for p27(KIP1) and C-MYC markers was the most frequent cluster, followed by cluster II, and both were present, independent of the H. pylori genotype.

CONCLUSIONS

Reduced expression of p27(KIP1) was closely linked to H. pylori infection, and was dependent on the more pathogenic strains. Moreover, intestinal and diffuse subtypes showed distinct carcinogenic pathways influenced by H. pylori strains. These data add insight to the differential influence and relevance of H. pylori genotype in gastric cancer development.

Hepatocellular carcinoma: prevalence and molecular pathogenesis of Helicobacter spp

Helicobacter pylori infection is one of the most common chronic bacterial infections in humans. The association of other Helicobacter spp. with extragastric diseases in animals is well established, and a role of these bacteria in human liver disease is becoming clearer. Several case-control studies have reported possible associations of Helicobacter spp. with various liver diseases, including hepatocellular carcinoma, which is the fifth most common type of carcinoma among men worldwide, and the eighth most common among women. Thus, it is important to understand molecular mechanisms that may lead to hepatotoxicity or hepatocellular dysfunction in which Helicobacter spp. may play a role in inducing malignant transformation of liver cells.

Oncogenic pathway combinations predict clinical prognosis in gastric cancer

Many solid cancers are known to exhibit a high degree of heterogeneity in their deregulation of different oncogenic pathways. We sought to identify major oncogenic pathways in gastric cancer (GC) with significant relationships to patient survival. Using gene expression signatures, we devised an in silico strategy to map patterns of oncogenic pathway activation in 301 primary gastric cancers, the second highest cause of global cancer mortality. We identified three oncogenic pathways (proliferation/stem cell, NF-kappaB, and Wnt/beta-catenin) deregulated in the majority (>70%) of gastric cancers. We functionally validated these pathway predictions in a panel of gastric cancer cell lines. Patient stratification by oncogenic pathway combinations showed reproducible and significant survival differences in multiple cohorts, suggesting that pathway interactions may play an important role in influencing disease behavior. Individual GCs can be successfully taxonomized by oncogenic pathway activity into biologically and clinically relevant subgroups. Predicting pathway activity by expression signatures thus permits the study of multiple cancer-related pathways interacting simultaneously in primary cancers, at a scale not currently achievable by other platforms.

Oncogenic pathway combinations predict clinical prognosis in gastric cancer

Many solid cancers are known to exhibit a high degree of heterogeneity in their deregulation of different oncogenic pathways. We sought to identify major oncogenic pathways in gastric cancer (GC) with significant relationships to patient survival. Using gene expression signatures, we devised an in silico strategy to map patterns of oncogenic pathway activation in 301 primary gastric cancers, the second highest cause of global cancer mortality. We identified three oncogenic pathways (proliferation/stem cell, NF-κB, and Wnt/β-catenin) deregulated in the majority (>70%) of gastric cancers. We functionally validated these pathway predictions in a panel of gastric cancer cell lines. Patient stratification by oncogenic pathway combinations showed reproducible and significant survival differences in multiple cohorts, suggesting that pathway interactions may play an important role in influencing disease behavior. Individual GCs can be successfully taxonomized by oncogenic pathway activity into biologically and clinically relevant subgroups. Predicting pathway activity by expression signatures thus permits the study of multiple cancer-related pathways interacting simultaneously in primary cancers, at a scale not currently achievable by other platforms.

Gastric cancer is the second leading cause of global cancer mortality. With current treatments, less than a quarter of patients survive longer than five years after surgery. Individual gastric cancers are highly disparate in their cellular characteristics and responses to standard chemotherapeutic drugs, making gastric cancer a complex disease. Pathway based approaches, rather than single gene studies, may help to unravel this complexity. Here, we make use of a computational approach to identify connections between molecular pathways and cancer profiles. In a large scale study of more than 300 patients, we identified subgroups of gastric cancers distinguishable by their patterns of driving molecular pathways. We show that these identified subgroups are clinically relevant in predicting survival duration and may prove useful in guiding the choice of targeted therapies designed to interfere with these molecular pathways. We also identified specific gastric cancer cell lines mirroring these pathway subgroups, which should facilitate the pre-clinical assessment of responses to targeted therapies in each subgroup.

Cdx1 and c-Myc foster the initiation of transdifferentiation of the normal esophageal squamous epithelium toward Barrett's esophagus

Background

Barrett's esophagus is a premalignant condition whereby the normal stratified squamous esophageal epithelium undergoes a transdifferentiation program resulting in a simple columnar epithelium reminiscent of the small intestine. These changes are typically associated with the stratified squamous epithelium chronically exposed to acid and bile salts as a result of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Despite this well-defined epidemiologic association between acid reflux and Barrett's esophagus, the genetic changes that induce this transdifferentiation process in esophageal keratinocytes have remained undefined.

Methodology/Principal Findings

To begin to identify the genetic changes responsible for transdifferentiaiton in Barrett's esophagus, we performed a microarray analysis of normal esophageal, Barrett's esophagus and small intestinal biopsy specimens to identify candidate signaling pathways and transcription factors that may be involved. Through this screen we identified the Cdx1 homeodomain transcription factor and the c-myc pathway as possible candidates. Cdx1 and c-myc were then tested for their ability to induce transdifferentiation in immortalized human esophageal keratinocytes using organotypic culturing methods. Analyses of these cultures reveal that c-myc and cdx1 cooperate to induce mucin production and changes in keratin expression that are observed in the epithelium of Barrett's esophagus.

Conclusions/Significance

These data demonstrate the ability of Cdx1 and c-myc to initiate the earliest stages of transdifferentiation of esophageal keratinocytes toward a cell fate characteristic of Barrett's esophagus.

MYC and gastric adenocarcinoma carcinogenesis

MYC is an oncogene involved in cell cycle regulation, cell growth arrest, cell adhesion, metabolism, ribosome biogenesis, protein synthesis, and mitochondrial function. It has been described as a key element of several carcinogenesis processes in humans. Many studies have shown an association between MYC deregulation and gastric cancer. MYC deregulation is also seen in gastric preneoplastic lesions and thus it may have a role in early gastric carcinogenesis. Several studies have suggested that amplification is the main mechanism of MYC deregulation in gastric cancer. In the present review, we focus on the deregulation of the MYC oncogene in gastric adenocarcinoma carcinogenesis, including its association with Helicobacter pylori (H pylori) and clinical applications.

Effect of Helicobacter pylori eradication on oncogenes and cell proliferation

BACKGROUND

Helicobacter pylori , the main cause of chronic gastritis, is a class 1 gastric carcinogen. However, it remains unclear whether H. pylori affects molecular alterations in chronic gastritis. Thus, this study was designed to investigate the effect of H. pylori eradication on the expression of human telomerase RNA (hTR), human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT), c-myc and proliferation nuclear cell antigen (PCNA) in H. pylori associated chronic gastritis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

hTR was determined by in situ hybridization, hTERT, c-myc and PCNA were detected by immunohistochemistry using stomach tissues obtained from 39 H. pylori-infected and 21 H. pylori-negative patients with chronic gastritis before and after H. pylori eradication therapy or treatment for symptom relief only.

RESULTS

Levels of hTR, hTERT, c-myc and PCNA were significantly higher in H. pylori-infected mucosa (51.3%, 53.8%, 53.8% and 16.8 +/- 5.8, respectively) when compared to H. pylori-negative mucosa before therapy (19.0%, 23.8%, 28.6%, 8.8 +/- 3.4, respectively; P < 0.05 in all cases). In patients with successful eradication of H. pylori the levels of hTR, hTERT, c-myc and PCNA (55.5%, 59.3%, 59.3%, 16.8 +/- 5.8, respectively) were significantly reduced after the therapy (22.2%, 22.2%, 14.8%, 7.0 +/- 5.0, respectively; P < 0.05 in all cases). In the H. pylori failed eradication and H. pylori-negative groups, there was no statistical difference in all four measurements.

CONCLUSIONS

H. pylori infection may induce the overexpression of hTR, hTERT, c-myc and stimulate cell proliferation. Eradication of H. pylori may reverse the aberrant expression of these oncoproteins and thus correct the abnormal cell proliferation.

Interrelationship between chromosome 8 aneuploidy, C-MYC amplification and increased expression in individuals from northern Brazil with gastric adenocarcinoma

AIM: To investigate chromosome 8 numerical aberrations, C-MYC oncogene alterations and its expression in gastric cancer and to correlate these findings with histopathological characteristics of gastric tumors.

METHODS: Specimens were collected surgically from seven patients with gastric adenocarcinomas. Immunostaining for C-MYC and dual-color fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) for C-MYC gene and chromosome 8 centromere were performed.

RESULTS: All the cases showed chromosome 8 aneuploidy and C-MYC amplification, in both the diffuse and intestinal histopathological types of Lauren. No significant difference (P < 0.05) was observed between the level of chromosome 8 ploidy and the site, stage or histological type of the adenocarcinomas. C-MYC high amplification, like homogeneously stained regions (HSRs) and double minutes (DMs), was observed only in the intestinal-type. Structural rearrangement of C-MYC, like translocation, was observed only in the diffuse type. Regarding C-MYC gene, a significant difference (P < 0.05) was observed between the two histological types. The C-MYC protein was expressed in all the studied cases. In the intestinal-type the C-MYC immunoreactivity was localized only in the nucleus and in the diffuse type in the nucleus and cytoplasm.

CONCLUSION: Distinct patterns of alterations between intestinal and diffuse types of gastric tumors support the hypothesis that these types follow different genetic pathways.

Glioma: What is the role of c-Myc, hsp90 and telomerase?

The continuous advancements in cancer research have contributed to the overwhelming evidence of the presence of telomerase in primary and secondary tumours together with hsp90 and c-Myc. This review will discuss the important role of telomerase together with hsp90 and c-Myc within the initiation and progression of gliomas. Also it will review the differential expression of these genes in the different grades of gliomas and the possibility of new treatments targeting these specific genes.

Heterozygosity loss of fragile histidine triad gene in gastric cancer and precancerous lesions

AIM: To detect the loss of heterozygosity (LOH) of fragile histidine triad (FHIT) gene in gastric cancer and precancerous lesions (dysplasia and intestinal metaplasia), and to analyze its role in the carcinogenesis of gastric cancer.

METHODS: The LOH at microsatellites loci D3S1234 and D3S1300 of FHIT gene were measured in samples of gastric cancer (n = 42), dysplasia (n = 44), intestinal metaplasia (n = 51) and their corresponding normal tissues by (polymerase chain reaction) PCR.

RESULTS: The rates of LOH at D3S1234 locus were 32.4%(11/34), 28.6%(10/35) and 10%(4/40) in gastric cancer, dysplasia and intestinal metaplasia respectively, and the ones at D3S1300 locus were 33.3%(12/36) , 32.4%(11/34) and 7.7% (3/39) respectively. The LOH rates at D3S1234 and D3S1300 loci in gastric cancer and atypical hyperplasia were higher than that of intestinal metaplasia (P<0.05, P<0.01 for D3S1234 and D3S1300 respectively). No significant difference of LOH rate was found between gastric cancer and dysplasia.

CONCLUSION: The loss of heterozygosity of FHIT gene may be an early event in the tumorigenesis of gastric cancer.

Helicobacter pylori-induced macrophage apoptosis requires activation of ornithine decarboxylase by c-Myc

Helicobacter pylori infection causes chronic inflammation of the gastric mucosa that results from an ineffective immune response. We have demonstrated that one underlying mechanism is induction of macrophage apoptosis mediated by polyamines. The transcription factor c-Myc has been linked to induction of ornithine decarboxylase (ODC), the rate-limiting enzyme in polyamine synthesis. We determined whether H. pylori stimulates transcriptional activation of ODC in macrophages, whether this occurs via c-Myc, and whether these events regulate activation of apoptosis. H. pylori induced a significant increase in ODC promoter activity that peaked at 6 h after stimulation and was closely paralleled by similar increases in ODC mRNA, protein, and enzyme activity. By 2 h after stimulation, c-Myc mRNA and protein expression was induced, protein was translocated to the nucleus, and there was specific binding of a consensus probe for c-Myc to nuclear extracts. Both an antennapedia-linked inhibitor of c-Myc binding (Int-H1-S6A,F8A) and transfection of a c-Myc dominant-negative construct significantly attenuated H. pylori-induced ODC promoter activity, mRNA, enzyme activity, and apoptosis in parallel. Transfection of ODC small interfering RNA inhibited ODC activity and apoptosis to the same degree as inhibition of c-Myc binding. These studies indicate that c-Myc is an important mediator of macrophage activation and may contribute to the mucosal inflammatory response to pathogens such as H. pylori by its effect on ODC.