Sonic Hedgehog: A Link Between Inflammation, Gastric Atrophy, and Acid Suppression?

A model of the intimate link between Shh and acid secretion. H⁺ secretion is required for expression and processing of Shh. Autocrine or paracrine signaling by Shh is in turn required for full functional differentiation and acid secretion of the parietal cell. Loss of Shh results in loss of acidity, diminished production of somatostatin, and a resulting raise in serum gastrin levels. Interleukin-1β has known negative effects on acid secretion and positive effects in gastrin secretion, but is now shown to also down-regulate Shh which may contribute to the loss of the parietal cells capacity to secrete hydrochloric acid.