Influence of chronic Helicobacter pylori infection on systemic and neuroinflammation and its impact on cognition

Helicobacter pylori is the major bacterial colonizer of the human stomach. It is estimated that approximately 50% of humans worldwide are chronically infected with this bacterium. Epidemiologically, H. pylori is recognized as the major risk factor and etiological agent of peptic ulcer disease and gastric adenocarcinoma. Most animal models utilized for evaluating H. pylori infection have examined the gastric effects of chronic infection with regard to ulcer and cancer development. However, interest into the potential extra-gastric influences of chronic H. pylori infection has been growing in the field. Utilizing a Sprague-Dawley rat based model for chronic H. pylori infection, the role of chronic infection in the development of systemic and neuro-inflammation was evaluated. High sensitivity ELISA assays were utilized to determine the change in key inflammatory markers locally within the stomach, systemically in the plasma and within the liver and the spleen, and within the central nervous system in the hippocampus and cerebellum. Eradication studies were conducted to determine the causal relationship between H. pylori infection and observed levels of inflammation. Finally, cognitive behavioral studies were conducted to evaluate the potential influence of chronic H. pylori infection on cognitive function and health. Altogether, these studies illustrate a model by which chronic infection established during early life modulates the immune system response to generate a mild, but chronically sustained, systemic and neuro-inflammatory state which is associated with impairment of pre-frontal cortex mediated cognition. Furthermore, it is proposed that the development of these cognitive impairments arise during key developmental windows resulting in persistence of the impairment after successful eradication of H. pylori.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Microbiology

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2018

Author dc:creator

• Reno, Michael L

Contributors dc:contributor

• Blanke, Steven R.
• Olsen, Gary J.
• Mitchell, Douglas A.
• Orlean, Peter A.B.

• Helicobacter pylori
• Inflammation
• Cognition

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 2017 Michael Llewellyn Reno

Language dc:language

en

Handle dc:identifier

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/99518

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/99518