Immunohistochemical Expressions of MUC2, MUC5AC, and MUC6 in Normal, Helicobacter pylori Infected and Metaplastic Gastric Mucosa of Children and Adolescents

ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to investigate expression of gastric mucins in children and adolescents and to assess their relations with age and Helicobacter pylori (H.pylori) infection. MethodsGastric biopsies were collected from 259 pediatric and adulthood patients with gastrointestinal symptoms among all of patients undergone gastroduodenoscopy from 1990 to 2004 at Gyeongsang National University hospital and assorted based on H.pylori infection, age, and intestinal metaplasia as follows; H.pylori infection before 5years of age or not, H.pylori infection between 5 and 9years of age or not, H.pylori infection between 10 and 14years of age or not, H.pylori infection between 20 and 29years of age or not and intestinal metaplasia between 21 and 35years of age. Total 810 tissue slides from the subjects were examined regarding expressions of Mucin2 (MUC2), Mucin5AC (MUC5AC), and Mucin6 (MUC6) in nine groups using immunohistochemical stains. A semiquantitative approach was used to score the staining extent of tissue slide. ResultsIncreased expressions of MUC2, MUC5AC, and MUC6 were noted in intestinal metaplasia compared with subjects infected with H.pylori between 20 and 29years. Gastric expressions of MUC5AC were decreased in older than 5years with H.pylori compared with in older than 5years without H.pylori (p<.001). Expressions of MUC2 and MUC6 did not change significantly by H.pylori status. Some nuclear expressions of MUC2 and MUC6 were noted in children without intestinal metaplasia. ConclusionsMUC5AC might be affected by chronic H.pylori infection. In addition to biomarkers for intestinal metaplasia or prognostic factors for gastric cancer in adults, MUC2 and MUC6 in children might have an another role, based on ectopic gastric nuclear expressions of MUC2 and MUC6 in children without intestinal metaplasia.