Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Are tryptase and cathepsin D related toHelicobacter pylori infection and mucosal gastrin in peptic ulcer?

  • Original Papers
  • Published:
Research in Experimental Medicine

Abstract

The pathogenesis of peptic ulcer is a complex phenomenon and several factors are thought to be involved in this process. Among others,Helicobacter pylori infection, hypergastrinaemia and some proteases seem to play an essential role in inducing peptic ulceration. We investigated whether tryptase (a serine endoprotease released by mast cells) and cathepsin D (a lysosomal hydrolase which seems able to derange the extracellular matrix) play a part in peptic ulcer disease and whether they are linked toHelicobacter pylori infection and mucosal content of gastrin. We studied 13 controls, 25 patients with gastric ulcer, 47 with duodenal ulcer and 11 with duodenitis. Tryptase and cathepsin D were measured in mucosal biopsy specimens (body and antrum of the stomach and duodenum) using IRMA methods. Gastrin was assayed in the antral mucosa by means of a RIA method.Helicobacter pylori infection was histologically evaluated (Giemsa). Tryptase and cathepsin D levels were higher (25%) in patients with active peptic ulcer, whether gastric or duodenal. The mucosal content of cathepsin D, but not that of tryptase, was associated withHelicobacter pylori infection. Tryptase, on the other hand, was related to gastrin content. No correlation was found between the two enzymes. It is concluded that tryptase and cathepsin D probably reflect different pathophysiological modifications in ulcer disease. Cathepsin D seems to be mainly related to the phlogistic reaction of the mucosa toHelicobacter pylori infection; tryptase may reflect and indirect link between the action of gastrin and the function of mast cells.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Axon ATR (1986)Campylobacter pyloridis: what role in gastritis and peptic ulcer? BMJ 293:772–773

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Bradford MM (1976) A rapid and sensitive method for the quantification of microgram quantities of protein utilizing the principle of protein-dye binding. Anal Biochem 72:248–254

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Chuang C-N, Chen MCY, Soll AH (1991) Gastrin-histamine interactions: direct and paracrine elements. Scand J Gastroenterol 26 [Suppl 180]:95–103

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Chung S, Kawai K (1990) Protease activities in gastric cancer tissues. Clin Chim Acta 189:205–210

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Clearfield HR (1991)Helicobacter pylori: aggressor or innocent bystander? Med Clin North Am 75:815

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Casba (1969) Mechanisms of the formation of mast cell granules. Acta Biol Hung 20:205

    Google Scholar 

  7. Fabris C, Benini L, Del Favero G, Cavallini G, Basso D, Vantini I, Bonvicini P, Brocco G, Piccoli A, Tonon M, Naccarato R, Scuro LA (1987) Molecular size distribution of immunoreactive trypsin and renal tubular dysfunction: role in trypsin plasma-urine transfer. Enzyme 37:174–181

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Garcia M, Lacombe MJ, Duplay H, Cavailles V, Deroco D, Delarue JC, Krebs B, Contesso G, Sancho-Garnier H, Richer G, Domergue J, Namer M, Rochefort H (1987) Immunohistochemical distribution of the 52-kDa protein in mammary tumors: a marker associated with cell proliferation rather than with hormone responsiveness. J Steroid Biochem 27:439–445

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Graham DY (1989)Campylobacter pylori and peptic ulcer disease. Gastroenterology 96:615–625

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Hakanson R, Sundler F (1991) Histamine-producing cells in the stomach and their role in the regulation of acid secretion. Scand J Gastroenterol 26 [Suppl 180]:88–94

    Google Scholar 

  11. Halter F, Wilder-Smith CH (1991) Gastrin: friend or foe of peptic ulcer? J Clin Gastroenterol 13 [Suppl 1]:S75-S82

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Irani A-M A, Schaartz LB (1989) Mast cell heterogeneity. Clin Exp Allergy 19:143–155

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Irani A-M A, Craig SS, DeBlois G, Elson CO, Schechter NM, Schwartz LB (1987) Deficiency of the tryptase positive, chymase-negative mast cell type in gastrointestinal mucosa of patients with defective T lymphocyte function. J Immunol 138:4381–4386

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Marshall BJ, McGeehie DB, Roger PA, Glancy RJ (1985) PyloricCampylobacter infection and gastroduodenal disease. Med J Aust 142:439–444

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Mertz HR, Walsh JH (1991) Peptic ulcer pathophysiology. Med Clin North Am 75:799

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Mulholland MW, Debas HT (1988) Physiology and pathophysiology of gastrin: a review. Surgery 103:135–147

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Plebani M, Di Mario F, Dal Santo PG, Faggian D, Germanà B, Vianello F, Naccarato R, Burlina A (1990) Measurement of pepsinogen group I in endoscopic gastroduodenal biopsies. Clin Chem 36:682–684

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Plebani M, Di Mario F, Battistel M, Basso D, Mantovani G, Giacomini A, Burlina A (1992) Measurement of tryptase in endoscopic biopsies: distribution and relationship with ulcer disease. Clin Chim Acta 206:107–114

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Rauws EAJ, Langenberg W, Houthoff HJ, Zanen HC, Tytgat GNJ (1988)Campylobacter pyloridis-associated chronic antral gastritis. Gastroenterology 94:33–40

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Rochefort H, Capony F, Garcia M, Cavailles V, Freiss G, Chambon M, Morisset M, Vignon F (1987) Estrogen-induced lysosomal proteases secreted by breast cancer cells: a role in carcinogenesis? J Cell Biochem 35:17–29

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Sandvik AK, Waldum HL (1991) CCK-B (gastrin) receptor regulates gastric histamine release and acid secretion. Am J Physiol 260:G925-G928

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Schwartz LB (1985) Monoclonal antibodies against human mast cell tryptase demonstrate shared antigenic sites on subunits of tryptase and selective localization of the enzyme to mast cells. J Immunol 134:526–531

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Schwartz LB (1990) Tryptase, a mediator of human mast cells. J Allergy Clin Immunol 86:594–598

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Senior RM, Campbell EJ (1984) Neutral proteinases from human inflammatory cells: a critical review of their role in extracellular matrix degradation. Clin Lab Med 3:645

    Google Scholar 

  25. Stechschulte DJ, Morris DC, Jilka RL, Stechschulte DJ, Dileepan KN (1990) Imapired gastric acid secretion in mast cell-deficient mice. Am J Physiol 259:G41-G47

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. Tanaka T, McRae BJ, Cho K, Cook R, Fraki JE, Johnson DA, Powers JC (1983) Mammalian tissue trypsin-like enzymes. J Biol Chem 258:13552–13557

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Vasishta A, Baker PR, Hopwood D, Holley PM, Cuschieri A (1985) Proteinase-like peptidase activities in malignant and non-malignant gastric tissue. Br J Surg 72:386–388

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. Wasserman SI (1990) Mast cell biology. J Allergy Clin Immunol 86:590–593

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. Weiss SJ (1989) Tissue destruction by neutrophils. N Engl J Med 320:365–376

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Istituto di Medicina di Laboratorio, Via Giustiniani 2, I-35128, Padova, Italy

    M. Plebani, D. Basso, G. Del Giudice & M. Battistel

  2. Cattedra di Istochimica ed Immunoistochimica Patologica, USL 19, University of Padova, Italy

    G. Busatto, R. Baffa & M. Rugge

  3. Cattedra di Gastroenterologia, University of Padova, Italy

    F. Di Mario & F. Vianello

Authors
  1. M. Plebani
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. D. Basso
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. G. Busatto
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. F. Di Mario
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. G. Del Giudice
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. F. Vianello
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. R. Baffa
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. M. Battistel
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  9. M. Rugge
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Plebani, M., Basso, D., Busatto, G. et al. Are tryptase and cathepsin D related toHelicobacter pylori infection and mucosal gastrin in peptic ulcer?. Res. Exp. Med. 194, 1–8 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02576361

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02576361

Key words

Search

Navigation