Mucosal immune response to Helicobacter pylori and cytotoxic mechanism.

BACKGROUND

Helicobacter pylori is widely accepted as a major pathogen in gastritis. The histologic features of H. pylori gastritis are the numerous infiltrating mononuclear cells (MNCs) and neutrophils. It is not clear what role the infiltrating MNCs and neutrophils play in H. pylori gastritis.

METHODS

In this study, we have established enzyme-linked immunospot (ELISPOT) assay for the measurement of H. pylori antibody-producing cells in gastric mucosa.

RESULTS

Using ELISPOT assay, we found that H. pylori-specific IgA-producing cells as well as IgG-producing cells were distributed in gastric mucosa. These H. pylori-specific antibodies in gastric mucosa and neutrophils are responsible for the induction of cytotoxic effect to cultured Vero cells.

CONCLUSIONS

These observations suggest that a mucosal immune response specific to H. pylori is closely associated with the pathogenesis of gastritis.