- The MKN-28 cell line, derived from a human gastric carcinoma, is a moderately differentiated gastric epithelial cell line that has been widely used to investigate Helicobacter pylori–host interactions.
- Compared to AGS cells, MKN-28 cells display a more epithelial-like morphology and higher levels of junctional organization, including expression of key components like E-cadherin, β-catenin, and ZO-1. These properties make MKN-28 particularly useful for studying how H. pylori affects epithelial barrier integrity, cell-cell adhesion, and junctional protein dynamics.
- Researchers have used MKN-28 cells to examine bacterial adhesion, CagA translocation, and cytoskeletal rearrangements following infection with H. pylori. The cell line supports the delivery of CagA via the type IV secretion system, and infected cells show hallmark phenotypes such as cell elongation and scattering, indicating active interference with cell polarity and cytoskeletal organization. The presence of functional tight and adherens junctions in MKN-28 cells allows for the monitoring of junctional disruption and protein mislocalization—key pathogenic mechanisms exploited by H. pylori.
- Additionally, MKN-28 cells are responsive to H. pylori-induced activation of signaling pathways including MAPK, NF-κB, and Wnt/β-catenin, and have been employed to assess downstream effects such as inflammatory responses, gene expression changes, and cellular transformation. Their relatively differentiated state also makes them suitable for comparative studies with other gastric lines, helping to unravel how different epithelial phenotypes influence bacterial pathogenesis. While less commonly used than AGS, MKN-28 cells fill an important niche in H. pylori research, especially for investigations requiring epithelial junctional context.
- In summary, the MKN-28 cell line contributes significantly to our understanding of H. pylori pathogenesis by serving as a robust model for examining junctional alterations, signaling events, and epithelial responses. Its moderate differentiation and junctional protein expression make it a valuable complement to other gastric cell models.
