- The NCI-N87 cell line, derived from a human gastric carcinoma, has emerged as a valuable model in Helicobacter pylori research, particularly due to its ability to form polarized monolayers and retain gastric epithelial characteristics, including the expression of E-cadherin and tight junction proteins. Unlike AGS cells, which are non-polarized and lack some key junctional components, NCI-N87 cells provide a more physiologically relevant environment to study H. pylori adhesion, virulence factor delivery, and epithelial barrier disruption.
- One of the major contributions of the NCI-N87 cell line is in the study of H. pylori’s interaction with adherens and tight junctions. Because these cells express functional E-cadherin, they have been instrumental in investigating how H. pylori, particularly the CagA effector protein, disrupts cell-cell adhesion and perturbs the E-cadherin/β-catenin complex. These studies have shown that CagA can induce mislocalization of junctional proteins, interfere with cell polarity, and promote β-catenin signaling, which may contribute to oncogenic transformation.
- NCI-N87 cells also support apical-basolateral polarity, making them suitable for experiments that require directional delivery of H. pylori virulence factors, such as via the Type IV secretion system (T4SS). The formation of tight junctions and defined apical domains allows researchers to mimic in vivo gastric epithelium more closely and examine how CagA is injected into host cells and how it affects epithelial integrity and signal transduction pathways.
- Furthermore, NCI-N87 cells have been used in co-culture models and transwell systems to measure transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER), providing functional readouts of barrier disruption following H. pylori infection. This has helped elucidate the mechanisms by which the bacterium compromises epithelial permeability, a key event in chronic inflammation and gastric pathology.
- Additionally, due to their gastric origin, NCI-N87 cells are capable of expressing mucin-related genes and gastric differentiation markers, which makes them useful for exploring how H. pylori interacts with mucus-producing cells and modulates mucosal defense mechanisms.
- In summary, the NCI-N87 cell line serves as a polarized, junctionally competent gastric epithelial model, bridging the gap between simple cancer-derived lines like AGS and more complex primary or organoid systems. Its use has been pivotal in uncovering the molecular events at epithelial junctions, the disruption of barrier function, and the oncogenic potential of H. pylori infection in the human stomach.
