Achlorhydria is associated with gastric microbial overgrowth and development of cancer: Lessons learned from the gastrin knockout mouse

Abstract

Gastrin and gastrin receptor‐deficient mice have been used for genetic dissection of the role of gastrins in maintaining gastric homeostasis and control of acid secretion. The gastrin knockout mice are achlorhydric due to inactivation of the ECL and parietal cells. Moreover, this achlorhydria is associated with intestinal metaplasia and bacterial overgrowth, which ultimately leads to the development of gastric tumours. The association between progastrin, progastrin‐derived processing intermediates and colorectal carcinogenesis has also been examined through genetic or chemical cancer induction in several mouse models, although the clinical relevance of these studies remains unproven. While others have focused on models of increased gastrin production, the present review describes the lessons learned from gastrin‐deficient mice. Study of these mice helps our understanding of how dysregulation of gastrin secretion may be implicated in human disease.

• Acid secretion
• bacterial overgrowth
• cancer
• gastrin
• genetically modified mice
• inflammation

Acknowledgements

The skilful technical assistance of Lis Sørensen and Bo Lindberg was greatly appreciated. The work has been supported by the Novo Nordic Foundation, The Danish MRC, P. Carl Petersen Foundation, Ellen and Carl Taftdrups Foundation and Marshall's Foundation.