Loss of p53 expression in the gastric epithelial cells of Helicobacter pylori infected Jordanian patients

Background: Helicobacter pylori infection is one of the most common chronic infections worldwide. Around half of the global population is chronically infected with this stomach bacterium. H. pylori infection is a strong risk factor for gastric cancer development. It is well-established that infection of the gastric epithelium with H. pylori induces the production of reactive oxygen species, DNA damage and accelerates the degradation of the tumor suppressor protein p53. This p53 dysregulation induced by H. pylori infection contributes to gastric carcinogenesis through complex processes including but not limited to cell proliferation and apoptosis. Methods: In the current study, we examined whether the epithelium of the gastric glands express p53 in subjects infected, chronically, with H. pylori. Seventy-five samples from Jordanian patients were analyzed for the presence of H. pylori as well as the p53 expression levels in the mucosa and submucosa by immunohistochemical analyses. Results: In H. pylori positive-specimens, p53-positive cells in the gastric mucosa were found significantly lower than in H. pylori negative-specimens. Conclusion: We demonstrated that p53 expression level is downregulated in gastric mucosa of patients from Jordan infected with H. pylori and this alteration may predispose individuals for possible tumor initiation in individuals chronically infected with H. pylori.