Campylobacter Concisus and Its Effect on the Expression of CDX1 and COX2

Abstract

Background: Barrett’s oesophagus (BO) is a pre-malignant condition in which normal squamous epithelium of the lower oesophagus and gastresophageal junction is replaced by columnar cells and progress to oesophageal adenocarcinoma. The increase burden of oesophagus cancer morbidity and mortality worldwide make study of factors involved in the pathogenesis of BO essential. However, most of studies that examine the environmental risk factors associated with increased incidence and prevalence of BO have largely ignored the potential role of bacteria in disease aetiology. Aims: This study examined the role of Campylobacter concisus isolated from Barrett’s and adenocarcinoma patient samples as one of possible environmental factors in the progression of Barrett’s oesophagus to oesophagus adenocarcinoma. Methods: We focused on the effect of C. concisus on the expression caudal type homeobox 1 gene (CDX1) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in three BO cell lines using quantitative real-time PCR. In addition, the attachment and invasion characteristics of C. concisus were also tested. Results: Results showed that C. concisus had a strong attachment to the cell lines and induce the expression of CDX1 in Barrett’s cell lines in a time-dependent manner. Conclusion: Findings indicate that C. concisus could be as a new challenge in the progression of BO to adenocarcinoma.

Keywords: Campylobacter concisus; Barrett’s oesophagus; COX2; CDX1.

Figure 1

Fluorescence Microscopy Images of CP-D Cell Line co-cultured with C. concisus. (A) Live and dead staining with propidium iodide after 15 minute co-culture which shows bacteria are motile around the cells. Cells are shown in red colour and microbes are in yellow and green. (B) Staining with propidium iodide after 90 min, arrow shows bacteria have started to aggregate and surround the cells. Original magnification, ×100.