Open AccessCytokines, cytokine gene polymorphisms andHelicobacter pyloriinfection: Friend or foe?
Author(s) -
Camila A. Figueiredo,
Caroline Marques,
Ryan dos Santos Costa,
Hugo Bernardino F. da Silva,
Neuza Maria Alcantara-Neves
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
world journal of gastroenterology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.427
H-Index - 155
eISSN - 2219-2840
pISSN - 1007-9327
DOI - 10.3748/wjg.v20.i18.5235
Subject(s) - helicobacter pylori , immunology , chronic gastritis , gastritis , biology , cytokine , population , immune system , cancer , gastric mucosa , disease , pathogen , stomach , medicine , genetics , biochemistry , environmental health
Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a flagellated, spiral-shaped, microaerophilic Gram-negative bacillus that colonises the gastric mucosa of more than 50% of the human population. Infection is a risk factor for gastritis, ulcer disease and stomach cancer. Immunity against H. pylori is mainly related to Th1/Th17 skewing, and the activation of regulatory T cells is the main strategy used to limit inflammatory responses, which can result in the pathogen persistence and can lead to chronic gastrointestinal diseases, including cancer. Furthermore, host genetic factors that affect cytokines may determine differences in the susceptibility to many diseases. In this review, we present the cytokine profiles and the main cytokine gene polymorphisms associated with resistance/susceptibility to H. pylori and discuss how such polymorphisms may influence infection/disease outcomes.