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Updated: Jul 2, 2026
Mouse Models Of Helicobacter Infection And Gastric Pathologies
Published on: October 18, 2018
Expression of inflammatory mediators in the otitis media induced by Helicobacter pylori antigen in mice
S Kariya1, M Okano, K Fukushima
1Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan. skariya@cc.okayama-u.ac.jp
Abstract:
Helicobacter pylori is a Gram-negative bacterium that is recognized as one of the key factors in gastric diseases such as gastritis, peptic ulcer and gastric cancer. Recent studies have shown relationships between H. pylori and extra-digestive diseases, and the presence of H. pylori in the middle ear and upper respiratory tract has been reported. However, the role of H. pylori in middle ear disease remains unclear. The present study demonstrated that H. pylori whole-cell protein directly induces macrophage migration inhibitory factor, macrophage inflammatory protein 2, interleukin 1 beta and tumor necrosis factor alpha in middle ear epithelium in mice, and severe proliferation of inflammatory cells was observed in middle ear cavity inoculated with H. pylori whole-cell protein. In addition, trans-tympanic injection of macrophage migration inhibitory factor up-regulated expression of macrophage inflammatory protein 2 in the middle ear. These findings indicate that H. pylori infection causes immunological inflammation in middle ear epithelium, and H. pylori may play a significant role in otitis media.
Insights
Helicobacter pylori infection triggers inflammation in the middle ear epithelium. This bacterium may play a significant role in the development of otitis media, a common ear disease.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Microbiology
- Otolaryngology
Background:
- Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is linked to gastric diseases and increasingly associated with extra-digestive conditions.
- The presence of H. pylori in the middle ear and respiratory tract is reported, but its role in middle ear disease is unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of H. pylori in middle ear inflammation and its potential contribution to otitis media.
Main Methods:
- Mice middle ear epithelium exposed to H. pylori whole-cell protein.
- Analysis of inflammatory markers (macrophage migration inhibitory factor, macrophage inflammatory protein 2, interleukin 1 beta, tumor necrosis factor alpha).
- Observation of inflammatory cell proliferation in the middle ear cavity and effects of macrophage migration inhibitory factor injection.
Main Results:
- H. pylori whole-cell protein directly induced key inflammatory factors in mouse middle ear epithelium.
- Significant proliferation of inflammatory cells was observed in the middle ear following H. pylori inoculation.
- Macrophage migration inhibitory factor administration enhanced macrophage inflammatory protein 2 expression.
Conclusions:
- H. pylori infection induces an immunological inflammatory response in the middle ear epithelium.
- These findings suggest H. pylori may be a significant factor in the pathogenesis of otitis media.
