Nuclear factor kappa-B and histopathology of chronic gastritis

Background: Studies suggest that nuclear factor kappa-B (NF kappa B) activation may be a critical event in the production of proinflammatory molecules in Helicobacter pylori-associated gastritis. Materials and Methods: This study examines the expression and activity of NF kappa B in situ in antral biopsies of 42 consecutive patients with immunohistochemical techniques. Results: NF kappa B was highly expressed in the gastric epithelial cells. The number of cells showing activated NF kappa B correlated with the activity of gastritis (P < 0.05), a measure of neutrophil influx, whereas no correlation was found with the chronicity of inflammation, a measure of the presence of mononuclear inflammatory cells. There was also a strong inverse association with the presence and grade of atrophy. Conclusion: This correlation is direct evidence of the importance of NF kappa B dependent signal transduction for neutrophil influx in gastritis. The role of NF kappa B appears to be only in the initial stages of gastritis, there is no role for the molecule in the development of chronic inflammation or atrophy.