Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), key molecules of cancer invasion and metastasis, degrade the extracellular matrix and cell–cell adhesion molecules. MMP-10 plays a crucial role in Helicobacter pylori-induced cell-invasion. The mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway, which activates activator protein-1 (AP-1), is known to mediate MMP expression. Infection with H. pylori, a Gram-negative bacterium, is associated with gastric cancer development. A toxic factor induced by H. pylori infection is reactive oxygen species (ROS), which activate MAPK signaling in gastric epithelial cells. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPAR-γ) mediates the expression of antioxidant enzymes including catalase. β-Carotene, a red-orange pigment, exerts antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. We aimed to investigate whether β-carotene inhibits H. pylori-induced MMP expression and cell invasion in gastric epithelial AGS (gastric adenocarcinoma) cells. We found that H. pylori induced MMP-10 expression and increased cell invasion via the activation of MAPKs and AP-1 in gastric epithelial cells. Specific inhibitors of MAPKs suppressed H. pylori-induced MMP-10 expression, suggesting that H. pylori induces MMP-10 expression through MAPKs. β-Carotene inhibited the H. pylori-induced activation of MAPKs and AP-1, expression of MMP-10, and cell invasion. Additionally, it promoted the expression of PPAR-γ and catalase, which reduced ROS levels in H. pylori-infected cells. In conclusion, β-carotene exerts an inhibitory effect on MAPK-mediated MMP-10 expression and cell invasion by increasing PPAR-γ-mediated catalase expression and reducing ROS levels in H. pylori-infected gastric epithelial cells.
Objectives Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), enzymes capable of degrading extracellular matrix components (ECM), are believed to be associated with carcinogenesis. Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection increased oxidative stress and promotes the invasion and metastasis of gastric cells by inducing expression of MMPs. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) mediates expression of MMPs. Astaxanthin, a xanthophyll carotenoid, has strong antioxidant and anticancer properties. The present study was aimed to investigate whether astaxanthin inhibits H. pylori-induced MMPs expression in human gastric epithelial cells by redicing oxidative stress. Methods AGS cells, human gastric epithelial cell line, were pre-treated with astaxanthin for 3 hours prior to H. pylori (cag A positive NCTC 11,637 strains) infection. The cells treated with or without astaxanthin were cultured for 24 hours in the presence of H. pylori. mRNA expression of MMP-7 and MMP-10 was measured by real time PCR analysis. ROS levels were determined using dichlorofluorescin fluorescence. Protein levels of MMPs were determined using western blot analysis. Invasion assay was performed for the cells in the upper and lower compartments in Matrigel-coated filters and the cells were examined under a laser scanning confocal microscope. Results H. pylori increased ROS levels and expression of MMP-7 and MMP-10 in AGS cells. H. pylori induced cell invasion. Astaxanthin suppressed the expression of H. pylori-induced MMP-7 and MMP-10 at the mRNA and protein level. Conclusions H. pylori infection induces expression of MMP-7 and MMP-10 and cell invasion, which may be mediated with increased ROS in gastric epithelial cells. Astaxanthin inhibits MMP expression by reducingROS levels in H. pylori-infected gastric epithelial cells. Funding Sources This study was supported by a Brain Korea 21 FOUR Project, Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
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