Helicobacter pylori is a human gastrointestinal (GI) pathogen that can lead to a state of chronic GI inflammation in some individuals, and has been linked to gastric ulcers and other diseases. Studies have shown that human mucosal gastric biopsies of infected individuals have dendritic cells producing IL-23, and that human monocytes isolated and cultured from healthy individuals produce IL-23, but not IL-12, in response to stimulation with live H. pylori. Given these findings, which of the following responses would be enhanced in the GI tract of H. pylori-infected individuals compared to uninfected individuals?
A) Mucus production by goblet cells
B) Recruitment of neutrophils
C) Recruitment of eosinophils
D) Production of nitric oxide and superoxide
E) Production of IL-13

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Since H. pylori infection promotes chronic GI inflammation, it is likely that there would be enhanced recruitment of immune cells such as neutrophils to the site of infection in infected individuals compared to uninfected individuals. This would also be consistent with the observation of increased IL-23 production by dendritic cells in the GI tract of infected individuals.

Helicobacter Pylori Is a Human Gastrointestinal (GI) Pathogen That Can