Ana-Maria Teodora Domșa1, Raluca Lupușoru2,3, Dan Gheban1,4, Alexandra Buruiană-Simic1, Bogdan Alexandru Gheban1, Camelia Lazăr1, Cristina Maria Borzan5. 1. Department of Pathology, "Iuliu Hațieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania. 2. Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, "Victor Babes" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, Romania. 3. Department of Functional Sciences, "Victor Babes" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, Romania. 4. Department of Pathology, Emergency Clinical Hospital for Children, 400370 Cluj-Napoca, Romania. 5. Department of Public Health and Management, "Iuliu Hațieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The updated model for the mechanism of gastric carcinogenesis demonstrates that Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a risk factor in every step of the process. The expression of certain gastric mucins is altered by H. pylori infection in adult patients. The aim of our research was to assess the impact of H. pylori infection on the expression of secretory mucins in the pediatric antral mucosa. METHODS: Slides were stained with monoclonal antibodies for MUC5AC, MUC6 and MUC2, digitalized and scored using both a semiquantitative and a quantitative approach. RESULTS: The expression of MUC5AC was significantly lower in infected children. Also, MUC2 expression was more pronounced in infected children. MUC6 expression did not differentiate between infected and noninfected children. Additionally, the presence of chronic inflammation significantly altered the expression of MUC6 and MUC2. The expression of MUC6 was significantly higher in patients with gastric atrophy. CONCLUSION: The minor differences in mucin expression at distinct ages might stem from different H. pylori exposure periods. Further research is needed to determine the particular patterns of expression according to age and to evaluate the effects of the interaction between H. pylori and mucins in the progression of the gastric carcinogenesis cascade.
BACKGROUND: The updated model for the mechanism of gastric carcinogenesis demonstrates that Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a risk factor in every step of the process. The expression of certain gastric mucins is altered by H. pyloriinfection in adult patients. The aim of our research was to assess the impact of H. pyloriinfection on the expression of secretory mucins in the pediatric antral mucosa. METHODS: Slides were stained with monoclonal antibodies for MUC5AC, MUC6 and MUC2, digitalized and scored using both a semiquantitative and a quantitative approach. RESULTS: The expression of MUC5AC was significantly lower in infectedchildren. Also, MUC2 expression was more pronounced in infectedchildren. MUC6 expression did not differentiate between infected and noninfected children. Additionally, the presence of chronic inflammation significantly altered the expression of MUC6 and MUC2. The expression of MUC6 was significantly higher in patients with gastric atrophy. CONCLUSION: The minor differences in mucin expression at distinct ages might stem from different H. pylori exposure periods. Further research is needed to determine the particular patterns of expression according to age and to evaluate the effects of the interaction between H. pylori and mucins in the progression of the gastric carcinogenesis cascade.