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Why Helicobacter pylori has Lewis antigens
B J Appelmelk1, M A Monteiro, S L Martin
1Dept of Medical Microbiology, Vrije Universiteit, van der Boechorststraat 7, 1081 BT, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. bj.appelmelk.mm@med.vu.nl
Trends in Microbiology
|December 15, 2000
Summary
Helicobacter pylori lipopolysaccharide mimics human Lewis blood group antigens. This mimicry is crucial for H. pylori adhesion and colonization of gastric cells, not for immune evasion.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Helicobacter pylori infection is a major cause of gastric diseases.
- The bacterium's lipopolysaccharide (LPS) mimics host Lewis blood group antigens.
- The role of this molecular mimicry in H. pylori pathogenesis is debated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the functional role of H. pylori Lewis X expression.
- To determine if molecular mimicry contributes to immune evasion or autoantibody induction.
- To assess the importance of Lewis X in bacterial adhesion and colonization.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of H. pylori lipopolysaccharide structure.
- In vitro assays for bacterial adhesion to gastric epithelial cells.
- Assessment of immune responses and autoantibody production in infected hosts.
Main Results:
- H. pylori Lewis X expression mediates direct adhesion to gastric epithelial cells.
- Molecular mimicry does not appear to promote immune evasion.
- No significant induction of autoantibodies was observed due to Lewis X mimicry.
Conclusions:
- H. pylori Lewis X antigen is essential for bacterial colonization of the stomach.
- The primary role of H. pylori Lewis X is facilitating adhesion, not immune evasion.