Campylobacter jejuni induces diverse kinetics and profiles of cytokine genes in INT-407 cells

To examine the kinetic ability of embryonic human epithelial INT-407 cells to express messenger ribonucleic acid [mRNA] for various cytokines and chemokines in response to Campylobacter jejuni [C. jejuni] stimulation. In an experimental single-blind study, cultured embryonic human epithelial INT-407 cells were treated with different concentrations of viable C. jejuni, its sonicated, and filtered supernatant. A modified non-radioactive in situ hybridization using probe cocktails was used to measure mRNA levels for the pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin [IL]- 1beta, IL-6, interferon-gamma [IFN-gamma], tumour necrosis factor [TNF]-alpha, transforming growth factor [TGF]-beta1, and IL-8, and the anti-inflammatory cytokines, IL-4 and IL-10. The study was carried out from September 2005 to March 2007 at the Department of Microbiology; Immunology, and Infectious Diseases, College of Medicine, Arabian Gulf University; Bahrain. Viable C. jejuni, sonicated bacteria and filtered supernatant induced high mRNA expression for the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1beta IL-6, IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha, TGF-beta1, and IL-8, which peaked at the 12 hours post stimulation. Anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-4 and IL-10 mRNA expression were induced maximally at 3 hours post stimulation mainly by sonicated bacteria and filtrated supernatant, however, not with living bacteria. Untreated embryonic human epithelial INT-407 cells expressed low amount of mRNA for the various cytokines and chemokines at all time points. For each cytokine, 4 samples were used per time hour. This study demonstrated that embryonic human epithelial INT-407 cells in response to viable C. jejuni or its cytotoxins can alter cytokine and chemokine mRNA expression patterns and kinetics suggesting a potential role for theses mediators in the immunopathogenesis of the infection caused by this pathogen, which might be relevant for future immunotherapeutic interventions during severe bacterial infections

Helicobacter pylori, association with upper gastrointestinal disease in Bahrain

One hundred and fifty consecutive patients with either mild or severe dyspepsia, were investigated for the presence of Helicobacter Pylori [HP]. HP were found in 51% of the patients in the gastric antrum and 26% in the duodenum. Antral HP occurred significantly more often in patients with superficial active gastritis compared to those with no evidence of inflammatory changes [P<0.01], strongly suggesting its role in the pathogenesis of upper gastrointestinal diseases in our patients