Relationship between expression of PARs and infection with H. pylori in the stomach of gastric cancer patients

Abstract

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is involved in the pathogenesis of gastric ulcer and cancer, and might secret proteinases. Given emerging roles of proteinase‐activated receptors (PARs) in the gastric mucosa, we investigated the correlation between expression of PARs and H. pylori infection in the stomach isolated from gastric cancer patients. The extent of H. pylori infection was evaluated as regional protein levels of ureases A and B, and analyzed in relation to expression levels of PAR1 and PAR2 in the corresponding regions. In the cancer area, expression of PAR1, but not PAR2, was positively correlated with protein levels of either urease, whereas no such a correlation was observed in the non‐cancer area. There was no significant difference in levels of any proteins between the non‐cancer and cancer areas. Together, expression of PAR1, but not PAR2, appears to be associated with H. pylori infection in gastric cancer tissues. It is likely that the increased expression of PAR1 might be involved in the development of H. pylori‐related gastric cancer.