Reactive oxygen species-induced autophagic degradation of Helicobacter pylori CagA is specifically suppressed in cancer stem-like cells

Cell Host Microbe. 2012 Dec 13;12(6):764-77. doi: 10.1016/j.chom.2012.10.014.

Abstract

Sustained expression of CagA, the type IV secretion effector of Helicobacter pylori, is closely associated with the development of gastric cancer. However, we observed that after translocation, CagA is degraded by autophagy and therefore short lived. Autophagy and CagA degradation are induced by the H. pylori vacuolating cytotoxin, VacA, which acted via decreasing intracellular glutathione (GSH) levels, causing reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation and Akt activation. Investigating this further, we found that CagA specifically accumulated in gastric cells expressing CD44, a cell-surface marker associated with cancer stem cells. The autophagic pathway in CD44-positive gastric cancer stem-like cells is suppressed because of their resistance to ROS, which is supported by increased intracellular GSH levels. These findings provide a molecular link between H. pylori and gastric carcinogenesis through the specific accumulation of CagA in gastric cancer stem-like cells.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antigens, Bacterial / metabolism*
  • Autophagy*
  • Bacterial Proteins / metabolism*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Epithelial Cells / chemistry
  • Epithelial Cells / metabolism
  • Epithelial Cells / microbiology
  • Helicobacter pylori / pathogenicity*
  • Humans
  • Hyaluronan Receptors / analysis
  • Proteolysis
  • Reactive Oxygen Species / immunology*
  • Virulence Factors / metabolism*

Substances

  • Antigens, Bacterial
  • Bacterial Proteins
  • CD44 protein, human
  • Hyaluronan Receptors
  • Reactive Oxygen Species
  • Virulence Factors
  • cagA protein, Helicobacter pylori