Muc1 mucin limits both Helicobacter pylori colonization of the murine gastric mucosa and associated gastritis.
Gastroenterology 2007;
133:1210-8. [PMID:
17919495 DOI:
10.1053/j.gastro.2007.07.003]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 139] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2006] [Accepted: 06/28/2007] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS
The MUC1 mucin is expressed on the cell surface of epithelial cells lining the gastric mucosa. Epidemiologic studies suggest that functional allelic variations in the MUC1 gene may play a role in human susceptibility to Helicobacter pylori-associated pathologies, including gastric adenocarcinoma. We have evaluated the impact of Muc1 expression on the colonization and pathogenesis of gastric Helicobacter infections.
METHODS
Wild-type and Muc1-deficient mice were infected with H pylori and colonization and gastritis levels determined. Primary gastric cells were used to examine the impact of Muc1 expression on bacterial adherence.
RESULTS
Mice lacking Muc1 were colonized by 5-fold more H pylori within 1 day of infection, and this difference was maintained for at least 2 months postinfection. Mice heterozygous for the null Muc1 allele developed intermediate bacterial colonization. Although wild-type mice developed only a mild gastritis when infected for 2 months with H pylori, Muc1(-/-) mice developed an atrophic gastritis marked by loss of parietal cells. We demonstrate H pylori adhesion to purified MUC1 and significantly increased adhesion to cultured murine Muc1 null gastric epithelial cells, suggesting that Muc1 acts as a decoy limiting binding to the cell surface.
CONCLUSIONS
Muc1 provides a protective barrier, which limits both acute and chronic colonization by H pylori, as well as playing a major role in limiting the inflammation induced by Helicobacter infection. We propose that Muc1 restricts access of H pylori to the epithelial surface, hence reducing exposure of the host to proinflammatory bacterial products.
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