Evaluation of Immunohistochemical Expression of Heparanase in Helicobacter pylori-Associated Chronic Gastritis

BACKGROUND: Chronic gastritis (CG) is a very common disease. More than half of the worldwide population suffers from symptoms of CG. This disease has received great attention since the discovery of H. pylori as the most important cause of CG. Symptoms experienced by patients with CG are attributed to H. pylori-induced inflammatory reactions. Heparanase (HPSE) is a mammalian β-endoglucoronidase. In inflammation; HPSE degrades and remodels the extracellular matrix’s heparan sulfate polysaccharide chains liberating heparan sulfate-bound cytokines and chemokines, HPSE also facilitates movement of inflammatory cells. AIMS: This study aimed to detect the function of HPSE in CG by correlating levels of HPSE expression with histopathological features of CG, including H. pylori infection, acute and chronic inflammatory cells, mucosal atrophic and/or metaplastic features. METHODS: Ninety-five upper endoscopic-guided gastric punch biopsies were enrolled in this study. From each specimen, formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded tissue blocks were prepared. Tissue sections were stained by Hematoxylin and eosin, Giemsa, and anti-heparanase antibody. RESULTS: HPSE expression was statistically associated with H. pylori infection (P-value < .000), and intensity of chronic lymphocytic inflammatory infiltrate in the gastric mucosal tissues (P = .004). High levels of HPSE expression were also related to the presence of neutrophils in the gastric surface epithelium and lamina propria (P-value < .009). CONCLUSIONS: HPSE expression was upregulated in H. pylori-associated chronic gastritis. Thus, future therapeutic agents that could specifically inhibit HPSE enzyme activity, may aid in the reduction of sequelae of H. pylori infection.