- The MKN-45 cell line, derived from a poorly differentiated human gastric carcinoma, is widely used in Helicobacter pylori research due to its gastric origin, epithelial characteristics, and retention of several functional features of gastric mucosal cells. Unlike AGS cells, MKN-45 cells maintain apical-basolateral polarity, express E-cadherin, and form adherens junctions, making them highly relevant for studying host-pathogen interactions that involve epithelial integrity and cell-cell adhesion.
- One of the notable advantages of MKN-45 cells is their mucin production, particularly MUC1 and MUC5AC, which are key components of the gastric mucus layer and represent important targets for H. pylori colonization. This feature allows researchers to study how H. pylori navigates and interacts with the mucosal barrier. Additionally, the expression of gastric differentiation markers such as CDH1 (E-cadherin) and CEA makes MKN-45 an ideal system for examining CagA translocation, β-catenin signaling, and disruption of adherens junctions during infection.
- MKN-45 cells are also used to investigate the activation of host signaling pathways in response to H. pylori infection. For example, infection with CagA-positive strains leads to activation of the PI3K/Akt and MAPK pathways, contributing to cellular responses such as proliferation, migration, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). These responses are relevant to the oncogenic potential of H. pylori, particularly in the context of gastric cancer development.
- Moreover, MKN-45 cells have been instrumental in drug screening, especially for compounds targeting gastric carcinoma or aiming to block H. pylori infection. Their tumorigenic potential also makes them suitable for xenograft studies in animal models, allowing in vivo exploration of H. pylori-associated tumor promotion.
- In summary, the MKN-45 cell line offers a robust, gastric-specific model for dissecting H. pylori–host interactions. Its gastric origin, mucin production, and functional junctional complexes make it particularly valuable for studying both early infection events and long-term consequences such as carcinogenic transformation. When used alongside other cell lines like AGS and MKN-28, MKN-45 helps provide a more complete picture of the diverse epithelial responses to H. pylori infection.
