Gastritis Decrypts important mechanisms of Helicobacter pylori infections

How do Helicobacter pylori infections cause gastritis?
Gastritis is a relatively common condition that can cause significant discomfort and may also lead to the development of gastric ulcers or stomach cancer. The gastritis (gastritis) is usually triggered by the bacterium Helicobacter pylori. Scientists at the Hannover Medical School (MHH) have now discovered how the pathogens cause gastritis, hoping to open up new approaches to the treatment of gastritis.

According to the research team, around 40 percent of Germans and even 50 percent of people around the world are led by Professor Dr. Ing. Christine Josenhans from the Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hospital Hygiene at the MHH the bacterium Helicobacter pylori in the stomach. Helicobacter pylori forms the main cause of chronic gastritis, which in turn bring a significantly increased risk of stomach ulcers and stomach cancer with it. In the current study, it has now been possible to identify the pathway through which Helicobacter pylori lead to gastritis, reports the MHH. The researchers published their results in the journal "PLOS Pathogens".

Infection with the bacterium Helicobacter pylori is the most common cause of gastritis. Scientists have now deciphered the path through which Helicobacter pylori trigger gastritis. (Image: psdesign1 / fotolia.com)

Special protein forwards the signals to inflammation
According to their own statements, the MHH scientists have succeeded in identifying one of the most important mechanisms by which the bacterium Helicobacter pylori leads to gastritis. Using a so-called gene scissors (term CRISPR-Cas9) one of the proteins could be determined, which forwards the signals to the nucleus for inflammation - the so-called adapter protein TIFA. Parts of the envelope of Helicobacter pylori are introduced into the cells of the gastric mucosa via a type-specific bacterial injection syringe, where they encounter certain proteins that transmit signals to the nucleus for inflammation, the scientists explain.

New treatment approaches for gastritis and gastric cancer?
According to Prof. Dr. Christine Josenhans will use the current findings to help "to find new therapeutic approaches against chronic gastritis and especially against the resulting possible gastric cancer." The current treatment of Helicobacter pylori infections is based mainly on the use of antibiotics. The current study was part of the Collaborative Research Center (SFB) 900 "Chronic Infections: Microbial Persistence and its Control" funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG). (Fp)