OBJECTIVE: To establish a cell model by chronically infecting human gastric epithelial cells with H.pylori, and to determine the effect of chronic H.pylori infection on apoptosis of gastric epithelial cells.
METHODS: Human non-tumor gastric epithelial cells GES-1 were cocultured with an H.pylori strain SS1 for 16 weeks, in order to obtain GES-1 "model" cells. Biological characteristics of the model cells including growth, adherence and clone formation were determined. Apoptosis of the "model" cells in response to apoptosis inducers such as H.pylori and other enterobacteria and agents commonly used in the chemotherapy of gastric cancer were measured by flow cytometry.
RESULTS: A cell model of human gastric epithelial cells with chronic H.pylori infection (GES-1 model cells) was successfully established. Apoptosis was dramatically decreased in the "model" cells with and without stimulation by H.pylori and other enterobacteria and some chemotherapeutic agents.
CONCLUSION: Chronic H.pylori infection induces apoptosis resistance in gastric epithelial cells, which may increase the risk of the development of gastric cancer.