BACKGROUND/AIMS: Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), which requires a helper molecule, MD-2, is a main receptor for lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from gram-negative bacteria. The expression of TLR4 in H. pylori infection in human gastric mucosa, however, is unclear. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of H. pylori infection on the TLR4 and MD-2 expression in human gastric mucosa.

METHODOLOGY

Biopsy samples from the antrum and corpus were obtained from 45 patients (25 patients without H. pylori infection including 5 patients with successful eradication of H. pylori, and 20 patients with H. pylori infection). These samples were used for TLR4, MD-2 mRNA expression study and immunohistochemical study.

RESULTS

In patients without H. pylori infection, the expressions of TLR4 and MD-2 were bigger in the corpus mucosa than in the antral mucosa. In patients with H. pylori infection, the expressions of TLR4 and MD-2 significantly increased in the antral and corpus mucosa. Immunohistochemical study revealed similar results as the TLR4 mRNA expression. After the eradication of H. pylori, the expressions of TLR4 and MD-2 were the same levels in both sites as those in patients without H. pylori infection.

CONCLUSIONS

The results indicated that H. pylori infection significantly increased TLR4 and MD-2 expressions in the antral and corpus mucosa.