Mycoplasma hyorhinis infection in gastric carcinoma and its effects on the malignant phenotypes of gastric cancer cells

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p><it>Mycoplasma hyorhinis </it>infection has been postulated to play a role in the development of several types of cancer, but the direct evidence and mechanism remained to be determined.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Immunohistochemistry assay and nested polymerase-chain reaction (PCR) were performed to examine the <it>mycoplasma hyorhinis </it>infection in gastric cancer tissues. Statistical analysis was used to check the association between mycoplasma infection and clinicopathologic parameters. Transwell chamber assay and metastasis assay were used to evaluate <it>mycoplasma hyorhinis</it>' effects on metastasis in vitro and in vivo. <it>Mycoplasma hyorhinis</it>-induced extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) activation were investigated by Western blot.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>My<it>coplasma hyorhinis </it>infection in gastric cancer tissues was revealed and statistical analysis indicated a significant association between mycoplasma infections and lymph node metastasis, Lauren's Classification, TNM stage, and age of the patients. <it>Mycoplasma hyorhinis </it>promoted tumor cell migration, invasion and metastasis <it>in vitro </it>and <it>in vivo</it>, which was possibly associated with the enhanced phosphorylation of EGFR and ERK1/2. The antibody against p37 protein of <it>Mycoplasma hyorhinis </it>could inhibit the migration of the infected cells.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The infection of <it>m</it>y<it>coplasma hyorhinis </it>may contribute to the development of gastric cancer and <it>Mycoplasma hyorhinis</it>-induced malignant phenotypes were possibly mediated by p37.</p