BACKGROUND This study aimed to investigate the changes in the promoter methylation and gene expression of multiple Wnt antagonists between the chronic infection and eradication of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) in gastric carcinogenesis.

METHODS The levels of methylation and corresponding mRNA expression of seven Wnt antagonist genes (SFRP1, -2, -5, DKK1, -2, -3, WIF1) were compared among the patients with H. pylori-positive gastric cancers (GCs), and H. pylori-positive and H. pylori-negative controls, by quantitative MethyLight assay and real-time reverse transcription (RT)-polymerase chain reaction (PCR), respectively. The changes of the methylation and expression levels of the genes were also compared between the H. pylori eradication and H. pylori-persistent groups 1 year after endoscopic resection of GCs.

RESULTS The methylation levels of SFRP and DKK family genes were significantly increased in the patients with H. pylori-positive GCs and followed by H. pylori-positive controls compared with H. pylori-negative controls (P < 0.001). SFRP1, -2, and DKK3 gene expression was stepwise downregulated from H. pylori-negative controls, H. pylori-positive controls, and to H. pylori-positive GCs (P < 0.05). Among the Wnt antagonists, only the degrees of methylation and downregulation of DKK3 were significantly reduced after H. pylori eradication (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION Epigenetic silencing of SFRP and DKK family genes may facilitate the formation of an epigenetic field during H. pylori-associated gastric carcinogenesis. The epigenetic field may not be reversed even after H. pylori eradication except by DKK3 methylation.