Regulatory B Cell Function Is Suppressed by Smoking and Obesity in H. pylori-Infected Subjects and Is Correlated with Elevated Risk of Gastric Cancer
Authors: Paul T MacEachern
Zhendong Zheng
Yaron M Rabinowitz
Ji J Yuan
Paul A Paik
Zongchang Song
Thomas B Learch
Gary M Goodman
David Z Song
Ming L Tsao
Hasi Wulan
Guanggang Li
Robert S Downey
Anna J Jankowska
Shihang Zheng
Journal: PLoS ONE (2015)
Discipline: Multidisciplinary
Keywords: Helicobacter pylori; infection; gastric cancer; B cells; IL-10
Affiliations: Affiliated Bayi Brain Hospital, General Hospital of Beijing Military Command, Beijing, 100700, China., Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100853, China., Department of Oncology, The 155th Central Hospital of PLA, Kaifeng, 475003, China., Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY, United States of America., Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington DC, United States of America., University of Maryland Medical Center. Baltimore, MD, United States of America., University Hospital, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada., Department of Gastroenterology, Shengjing Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, 110022, China., Department of Medical Oncology, Changzheng Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, 200070, China; Department of Oncology, General Hospital of Shenyang Military Area Command, Shenyang, 110840, China.

Abstract:  Helicobacter pylori infection occurs in more than half of the world's population and is the main cause for gastric cancer. A series of lifestyle and nutritional factors, such as tobacco smoking and obesity, have been found to elevate the risk for cancer development. In this study, we sought to determine the immunological aspects during H. pylori infection and gastric cancer development. We found that B cells from H. pylori-infected patients presented altered composition and function compared to uninfected patients. IL-10-expressing CD24+CD38+ B cells were upregulated in H. pylori-infected patients, contained potent regulatory activity in inhibiting T cell pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion, and responded directly to H. pylori antigen stimulation. Interestingly, in H. pylori-infected smoking subjects and obese subjects, the number of IL-10+ B cells and CD24+CD38+ B cells were reduced compared to H. pylori-infected asymptomatic subjects. Regulatory functions mediated by CD24+CD38+ B cells were also impaired. In addition, gastric cancer positive patients had reduced IL-10-producing B cell frequencies after H. pylori-stimulation. Altogether, these data suggest that in H. pylori-infection, CD24+CD38+ B cell is upregulated and plays a role in suppressing pro-inflammatory responses, possibly through IL-10 production, a feature that was not observed in smoking and obese patients. 

Retracted: Yes

PubPeer comments:
 Retracted [9 March 2022] . ------------------- Article Metrics Comments Media Coverage Reference Reader Comments The PLOS ONE Editors have been unable to verify the identities, affiliations, contributions and contact email addresses for several of the authors listed on this article [1]. In response to follow-up queries, corresponding authors Zhendong Zheng and Ji J. Yuan stated that there was an error in the original listed affiliations; specifically, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Georgetown University Medical Center, University of Maryland Medical Center, and University Hospital, University of British Columbia were incorrectly included. Revised affiliation information was provided, but the PLOS ONE Editors were unable to verify the updated affiliations. In light of the above concerns, the PLOS ONE Editors retract this article. JJY did not agree with retraction. ZZ did not respond directly to the retraction decision. GL, HW, TBL, DZS, ZS, SZ, PAP, MLT, GMG, PTM, RSD, AJJ and YMR could not be reached. ,