Nuclear factor kappa-B and histopathology of chronic gastritis

BACKGROUND: Studies suggest that nuclear factor kappa-B (NFkappaB) activation may be a critical event in the production of proinflammatory molecules in Helicobacter pylori-associated gastritis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study examines the expression and activity of NFkappaB in situ in antral biopsies of 42 consecutive patients with immunohistochemical techniques.

RESULTS: NFkappaB was highly expressed in the gastric epithelial cells. The number of cells showing activated NFkappaB correlated with the activity of gastritis (P < 0.05), a measure of neutrophil influx, whereas no correlation was found with the chronicity of inflammation, a measure of the presence of mononuclear inflammatory cells. There was also a strong inverse association with the presence and grade of atrophy.

CONCLUSION: This correlation is direct evidence of the importance of NFkappaB dependent signal transduction for neutrophil influx in gastritis. The role of NFkappaB appears to be only in the initial stages of gastritis, there is no role for the molecule in the development of chronic inflammation or atrophy.