Changes in the CDX2 protein and cytokeratins CK20, K7 expression in the gastric mucosa in schoolchildren with Helicobacter pylori-associated gastritis

The effect of carcinogenic factors such as bacterial invasion of Helicobacter pylori on the expression of CK20, CK7 cytokeratins and the distribution of CDX2 protein in the epithelium of the gastric mucosa (CO) and the pathophysiological significance of these processes have not yet been sufficiently studied. Aim: to determine changes in the distribution of CDX2 protein and the expression of cytokeratins CK20, K7 in the gastric mucosa in schoolchildren with Helicobacter pylori-associated gastritis. To evaluate the association between the expression of CDX2 and cytokeratins CK20, CK7 in the epithelium of the gastric mucosa in schoolchildren with gastritis under conditions of bacterial invasion by H. pylori.

Materials and methods. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy was performed with taking biopsies from the gastric mucosa in eighty nine 7–17 years children with gastroenterological complaints. The morphological method confirmed the diagnosis of gastritis and determined the presence of H. pylori infection. Biopsies were examined immunohistochemically to identify the proteins CDX2, CK20, CK7 in the gastric epithelium.

Results. A more pronounced expression of CK7 was noted in the body of the stomach with H. pylori-associated gastritis in 7–11 year schoolchildren, in comparison with those examined without H. pylori (p = 0.003) and with infected 12–17 years schoolchildren (p = 0.017). There were were revealed differences in the expression of CK20 in the antrum, which were absent in uninfec­ted girls and were lower than in girls with bacterial invasion (p = 0.024). Also in girls with H. pylori and in the body of the stomach, CK7 expression was higher (p = 0.045). Among uninfected patients, there was an increase in CK20 expression in the antrum in boys compared to girls, and to greater extent, this concerned the older age group (p = 0.006). While the increased expression of CK7 in schoolchildren of the younger age group primarily affected girls infected with H. pylori in both parts of the stomach. In the body of the stomach, the highest level of CK7 was also observed in H. pylori-associated gastritis 7–11 years old girls (p = 0.004). The association of CDX2 with H. pylori invasion has not been established.

Conclusion. Thus, in schoolchildren with gastritis, there was detected an expression of CK20, CK7 and CDX2 in the epithelium of the gastric mucosa, with features of its severity and a close association with the gender and age characteristics of the child.

Contribution:
Vshivkov V.A., Polivanova T.V. — concept and design of the study, data collection and processing, editing the text;
Vshivkov V.A. — statistical processing of the data;
Polivanova T.V. — writing the text.
All co-authors — approval of the final version of the article, responsibility for the integrity of all parts of the article.

Acknowledgment. The study had no sponsorship.

Conflict of interest. The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Received: May 06, 2024
Accepted: June 11, 2024
Published: July 12, 2024

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