Background/aims: Helicobacter species has been shown to be commonly present in extragastric human organs by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). To date, a few studies have reported that infection by Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) was a risk factor for pancreatic malignancies, but this was not investigated very well. Therefore, we examined effects of H. pylori infection on human pancreatic cancer cells.
Methodology: Interleukin (IL)-8 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) secretions by human pancreatic cancer cells which were co-cultured with H. pylori, were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). We then examined whether activities of proliferation factors nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB), activator protein-1 (AP-1), and serum response element (SRE) of human pancreatic cancer cells were increased by H. pylori infection. Furthermore, we examined cytotoxin-associated gene A protein (CagA) secretion into pancreatic cancer cells using Western blotting.
Results: IL-8 and VEGF secretion levels and activities of proliferation factors NF-kappaB, AP-1, and SRE of human pancreatic cells increased by H. pylori infection. Moreover, CagA secretion into pancreatic cancer cells was confirmed by Western blotting.
Conclusions: Helicobacter pylori infection of human pancreatic cells may increase malignant potential of pancreatic cells, which seems to involve the same mechanisms as in gastric cancer cells.