Determination of the Roles of H. pylori Outer Membrane Virulence Factors and Pyroptosis-Associated NLRP3, ASC, Caspase-1, Gasdermin D, IL-1β, and IL-18 in Ulcer and Gastritis Pathogenesis

This study provides novel insights into the interrelation between the virulence factors of <i>H. pylori</i> and pyroptosis in gastritis and ulcer diseases. Our findings demonstrate that <i>H. pylori</i> infection significantly alters the expression levels of pyroptosis markers, including <i>ASC</i>, <i>NLRP3</i>, caspase-1, GSDMD, IL-18, and IL-1β, in gastric tissues. Notably, the vacA m2 allele was associated with a differential response in <i>ASC</i> expression among patients with gastritis and ulcers, correlating with increased GSDMD levels in ulcerative conditions. The presence of the <i>H. pylori alpA</i> gene is markedly associated with the lack of Gasdermin D activation, indicating a possible suppressive function or immune evasion tactic. These results underscore the critical role of <i>H. pylori</i> virulence determinants in modulating pyroptosis and suggest that understanding this relationship may pave the way for developing targeted therapeutic strategies to mitigate <i>H. pylori</i>-associated pathologies.