Elevated expression of the AIM2 gene in response to Helicobacter pylori along with the decrease of NLRC4 inflammasome is associated with peptic ulcer development

Abstract

Helicobacter Pylori (H. Pylori) cause peptic ulcer disease (PUD), but the inflammasome's role in PUD is not well understood. Therefore this study has investigated inflammasome compartment expression and IL‐1β production in gastritis (G) and peptic ulcer disease. This study was based on gene expression of inflammasome compartments on stomach biopsies of 50 patients with PUD as cases and 50 individuals with gastritis as controls. The expression of NLRC4, ASC, IL‐18, and serum IL‐1β decreased in the PUD group compared to the control group. AIM2 gene expression increased, and NLRP12 gene expression decreased in H. pylori‐seropositive positive (HP+) individuals compared to H. pylori‐seronegative (HP−) individuals. The G‐HP+ subjects had higher serum IL‐1β and AIM2 gene expression than G‐HP− subjects but lower NLRP3 and NLRP12 gene expression. The PUD‐HP+ had lower serum IL‐1β, but higher AIM2 and IL‐18 expression than PUD‐HP−. The PUD‐HP− patients had decreased IL‐18 expression than G‐HP− group. The PUD‐HP+ had lower serum IL‐1β and NLRC4 expression than G‐HP+, while NLRP1 and NLRP3 were higher in expression in PUD‐HP+. The expression of caspase‐1, NLRP3 and NAIP were correlated with IL‐1β and IL‐18. In conclusion, a decrease in NLRC4, IL‐18, ASC genes, and IL‐1β levels in PUD patients compared to gastritis may act in the development of PUD. H. pylori caused AIM2 induction and reduced NLRP12, indicating their contribution to bacterial responses. Decreased NLRC4 expression and IL‐1β protein, together with enhanced NLRP1, and NLRP3 expression, promotes H. pylori to develop peptic ulcers.