Establishment of a model to study Helicobacter pylori cellular microbiology
Objective To establish a useful model to study H.pylori cellular microbiology. Method We cultured human gastric epithelial cells, which were taken from aborted fetus (6-8 months old). Characteristics of the spiral and coccoid form of H.pylori attachment to human gastric cell were examined by scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Results Spiral H.pylori soron adhered to microvilli. Specialized attachment sites such as the "adhesion pedestal", "cup-like indentation", "abutting adhesion" were seen. H.pylori stimulated microfilament, microtubule and actin polymerization, which was associated with adherence pedestal formation. These adherence patterns were similar to those observed in vitro, suggesting a possible pathogenic role for the coccoid of H.pylori . We observed, that the spiral H.pylori, fused with the epithelial cell membrane. Some bacteria were internalized by the host cell. Meanwhile attachment of spiral H.pylori resulted in effacement of microvilli and vacuolation effect on gastric epithelial cells. Conclusion Primary gastric cell cultures closely imitate the entero-environment and is a potential useful model to study H.pylori. [