DNA Hypermethylation Downregulates Telomerase Reverse Transcriptase (TERT) during H. pylori-Induced Chronic Inflammation.

DNA Hypermethylation Downregulates Telomerase Reverse Transcriptase (TERT) during H. pylori-Induced Chronic Inflammation. J Oncol. 2019;2019:5415761 Authors: Bussière FI, Michel V, Fernandes J, Costa L, Camilo V, Nigro G, De Reuse H, Fiette L, Touati E Abstract Helicobacter pylori infection causes chronic gastritis and is the major risk factor of gastric cancer. H. pylori induces a chronic inflammation-producing reactive oxygen species (ROS) which is a source of chromosome instabilities and contributes to the development of malignancy. H. pylori also promotes DNA hypermethylation, known to dysregulate essential genes that maintain genetic stability. The maintenance of telomere length by telomerase is essential for chromosome integrity. Telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) is the catalytic component of telomerase activity and an important target during host-pathogen interaction. We aimed to investigate the consequences of H. pylori on the regulation of TERT gene expression and telomerase activity. In vitro, hTERT mRNA levels and telomerase activity were analysed in H. pylori-infected human gastric epithelial cells. In addition, C57BL/6 and INS-GAS mice were used to investigate the influence of H. pylori-induced inflammation on TERT levels. Our data demonstrated that, in vitro, H. pylori inhibits TERT gene expression and decreases the telomerase activity. The exposure of cells to lycopene, an antioxidant compound, restores TERT lev...
Source: Journal of Oncology - Category: Cancer & Oncology Tags: J Oncol Source Type: research