Gastritis doctors and workers cross-Chinese medicine natural peptide can treat chronic atrophic gastritis by activating gastric stem cells.

This article is selected:Chronic atrophic gastritis (AG) is mainly caused by Helicobacter pylori infection, which may progress to gastric cancer with Correa cascade reaction. At present, the treatment plan is to eradicate Helicobacter pylori, but there is no evidence that this treatment is effective in the late stage of AG, especially in gastric gland atrophy. This study reveals that the defect of gastric stem cells (GSC) is the key pathogenic factor of AG in mice and human beings by using AG mouse model, patient samples, gastric organs and pedigree tracking. In addition, a natural peptide isolated from a traditional Chinese medicine can activate GSC to regenerate gastric epithelium and revitalize atrophic gastric organs from patients in experimental AG model. Furthermore, the peptide showed its function by stabilizing EGF-EGFR complex and specifically activating downstream ERK and Stat1 signal transduction. Generally speaking, these findings promote the understanding of the pathogenesis of AG and open up a new way for the treatment of AG.

Innovations: 1. It is the first time to reveal systematically that the defect of gastric stem cells (GSC) is the key pathogenic factor of AG; 2. A natural peptide was isolated from traditional Chinese medicine, which can effectively activate gastric stem cells and promote gastric epithelial regeneration; 3. The mechanism of the natural peptide activating specific signal pathway by stabilizing EGF-EGFR complex was clarified. 4. To study the pathogenesis of AG by using multimodal research method, combining with mouse model, patient samples and stomach organs.

Scientific research inspiration: 1. Revealed the potential relationship between microbial infection and dysfunction of gastric stem cells; 2. It shows the great potential of natural components of traditional Chinese medicine in the treatment of diseases; 3. It provides a new idea of disease treatment based on stem cell regeneration; 4. The key mechanism of signal pathway in tissue repair is clarified.

Extension of ideas: 1. Explore the potential therapeutic effects of similar natural peptides in other digestive tract diseases; 2. To study the in-depth mechanism of the influence of Helicobacter pylori infection on the function of gastric stem cells; 3. Develop personalized therapy for AG based on stem cell activation; 4. Explore more regulatory mechanisms of EGF-EGFR signaling pathway in gastric epithelial regeneration; 5. To study the activation potential of natural peptides from different sources on gastric stem cells; 6. Develop early diagnosis and intervention strategies for GSC defects; 7. Explore the potential application of stem cell regeneration in preventing gastric cancer.

10.1002/advs.202304326