15-Deoxy-Δ,12,14-prostaglandin J2 Suppresses Nuclear Factor-κB-Mediated Apoptosis of Helicobacter pylori-Infected Gastric Epithelial Cells

Helicobacter pylori deregulates the genes that control homeostasis between apoptosis and cell proliferation of gastric epithelial cells. Nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) has an important role in H. pylori-induced apoptosis in gastric epithelial cells. The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma ligand 15-deoxy-Delta(12,14)-prostaglandin J(2) (15d-PGJ(2)) regulates growth and the signaling cascade in H. pylori-infected gastric epithelial cells. In the present study, we determined whether 15d-PGJ(2) inhibits apoptosis by regulating apoptotic gene expression and NF-kappaB activation in gastric epithelial cells infected with CagA+, VacA+H. pylori in a Korean isolate (HP99). 15d-PGJ(2) was found to inhibit H. pylori-induced DNA fragmentation and cell death. 15d-PGJ(2) induced downregulation of proapoptotic Bax and upregulation of antiapoptotic Bcl-2 as well as suppression of NF-kappaB activation caused by H. pylori in gastric epithelial cells. The results suggest that 15d-PGJ(2) inhibits apoptotic cell death by inhibiting NF-kappaB activation and apoptotic gene expression in gastric epithelial cells.