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Updated: Aug 6, 2026
Mouse Models Of Helicobacter Infection And Gastric Pathologies
Published on: October 18, 2018
Gastric epithelial expression of macrophage migration inhibitory factor is not altered by Helicobacter pylori
Pia Lebiedz1, Jan Heidemann, Andreas Lugering
1Department of Medicine B, University of Muenster, Albert-Schweitzer-Strasse 33, D-48129 Muenster, Germany. lebiedzp@uni-muenster.de
Background:
Recent reports have shown an upregulation of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) during gastric ulcer development in a rat model and elevated counts of MIF-positive cells in biopsies from Helicobacter pylori-infected patients. H. pylori infection is a proven cofactor in humans causing gastritis and gastric ulcers. The aim of this study was to characterize MIF expression in human gastric epithelial cells in response to H. pylori.
Methods:
MIF mRNA and MIF protein expression was detected in human gastric epithelial cell lines after stimulation with proinflammatory cytokines or infection with H. pylori (cagA+/vacA+) using real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Interleukin-8 secretion was measured as positive control. MIF mRNA and MIF protein expression was assessed in H. pylori-positive and -negative human gastric biopsy samples.
Results:
While interleukin-8 mRNA expression and interleukin-8 secretion were upregulated in gastric epithelial cells in vitro after H. pylori infection, no changes in MIF mRNA expression and MIF secretion could be detected. We found no significant differences in MIF expression in total RNA extracted from gastric biopsy tissue when comparing H. pylori-positive to control patients. Likewise, MIF protein expression in gastric epithelium was unaffected by H. pylori infection as compared to uninfected tissue.
Conclusions:
While an increased MIF expression and positive effects of MIF blockade in ulcer healing have been shown in a rodent model and elevated numbers of MIF-positive cells have been found in H. pylori-infected human tissue, we herein could not confirm any differences in human gastric epithelial MIF expression and secretion after H. pylori infection in vitro and in vivo.
Insights
This study found no change in macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) expression in human gastric cells after Helicobacter pylori infection, despite previous rodent studies suggesting a link. Further research is needed to understand MIF
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Immunology
- Microbiology
Background:
- Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is upregulated in rodent models of gastric ulcers.
- Elevated MIF-positive cells are observed in human gastric biopsies with Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection.
- H. pylori is a known cause of gastritis and gastric ulcers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) expression in human gastric epithelial cells in response to H. pylori infection.
Main Methods:
- MIF mRNA and protein expression analyzed in human gastric cell lines and biopsy samples.
- Cells were stimulated with cytokines or infected with H. pylori (cagA+/vacA+).
- Real-time RT-PCR and ELISA used for detection; IL-8 secretion served as a positive control.
Main Results:
- Interleukin-8 (IL-8) mRNA and secretion were upregulated by H. pylori in vitro.
- No significant changes in MIF mRNA expression or secretion were detected in gastric epithelial cells.
- H. pylori infection did not alter MIF expression in human gastric biopsy tissues (mRNA or protein).
Conclusions:
- This study did not confirm increased MIF expression in human gastric epithelial cells following H. pylori infection, contrary to some rodent models and prior human biopsy observations.
- Findings suggest that MIF's role in human gastric pathology related to H. pylori may differ from rodent models.
- Further investigation is warranted to clarify the precise role of MIF in H. pylori-associated gastric diseases.
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