Transactivation of the epidermal growth factor receptor by cag plus Helicobacter pylori induces upregulation of the early growth response gene Egr-1 in gastric epithelial cells

Background and aims: Helicobacter pylori, in particular cytotoxin associated gene (cag)+ strains, have been shown to enhance gastric epithelial cell proliferation in vivo, an effect that likely contributes to gastric carcinogenesis. Early growth response gene 1 (Egr-1) is a crucial regulator of cell growth, differentiation, and survival, which is known to play a role in carcinogenesis and cancer progression. The aims of this study were to: ( 1) examine whether H pylori could upregulate Egr-1 in gastric epithelial cell lines; ( 2) determine whether there was a differential response to infection with different strains; ( 3) examine the role of the cag pathogenicity island in this process; and ( 4) elucidate the molecular mechanisms leading to Egr-1 upregulation. Methods and results: We found that infection of AGS cells with cag+ H pylori resulted in a rapid ( 1 2 hours) but transient increase in Egr-1 mRNA and protein levels whereas coculture with cag2 isolates did not elicit this response. Furthermore, two independent cagE-isogenic mutants of H pylori also demonstrated impaired ability to upregulate Egr-1. Upregulation of Egr-1 protein was inhibited by the extracellular regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2 inhibitor PD98059 and overexpression of dominant negative MEK1 downregulated Egr-1 luciferase reporter gene activity. Treatment of AGS cells with the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) kinase inhibitors PD153035 and AG1478 resulted in a reduction in H pylori mediated Egr-1 upregulation, demonstrating that EGFR transactivation plays a role in this early cellular process. Conclusions: Our findings show that cag+ H pylori cause rapid induction of Egr-1 in gastric epithelial cells which may contribute to H pylori mediated pathogenesis.