Investigation of Campylobacter concisus gastric epithelial pathogenicity using AGS cells

is an oral bacterium. Recent studies suggest that may be involved in human gastric diseases. The mechanisms, however, by which causes human gastric diseases have not been investigated. Here we examined the gastric epithelial pathogenicity of using a cell culture model. Six strains and the human gastric epithelial cell line AGS cells were used. IL-8 produced by AGS cells after incubation with was measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and AGS cell apoptosis was determined by caspase 3/7 activities. The effects of on actin arrangement in AGS cells was determined using fluorescence staining. The effects of on global gene expression in AGS cells was determined by transcriptomic analysis and quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). The role of the upregulated gene in gastric cancer survival was assessed using the Kaplan-Meier method. induced production of IL-8 by AGS cells with strain variation. Significantly increased caspase 3/7 activities were observed in AGS cells incubated with strains when compared to AGS cells without bacteria. induced actin re-arrangement in AGS cells. upregulated 30 genes in AGS cells and the upregulation of gene was confirmed by qRT-PCR. The Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that upregulation of gene is associated with worse survival in gastric cancer patients. Our findings suggest that may play a role in gastric inflammation and the progression of gastric cancer. Further investigation in clinical studies is warranted.