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Updated: Sep 11, 2025
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Author Spotlight: Gastric Epithelial Cell Responses in Helicobacter pylori infection
Published on: July 5, 2024
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A Narrative Review on the Multifaceted Roles of Galectins in Host-Pathogen Interactions During Helicobacter pylori
Bojan Stojanovic1,2, Natasa Zdravkovic3, Marko Petrovic1
1Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences
|August 14, 2025
Summary
Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection involves galectins, which are proteins that can both help the body fight the bacteria and allow it to persist. Understanding this interaction may lead to new treatments for H. pylori-related diseases.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Immunology
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a widespread bacterial pathogen causing significant gastroduodenal diseases.
- Endogenous lectins, specifically galectins, play a crucial role in host-pathogen interactions within the gastric mucosa.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize current knowledge on the involvement of key galectins (Galectin-1, -2, -3, -8, -9) in H. pylori infection.
- To examine the dual roles of galectins in mucosal defense and bacterial persistence.
Main Methods:
- Comprehensive literature review of studies investigating galectin involvement in H. pylori infection.
- Analysis of galectin functions in immune evasion, inflammation, and gastric carcinogenesis.
Main Results:
- Galectins exhibit dual roles, potentially enhancing mucosal defense while also facilitating H. pylori persistence.
- These proteins contribute to immune evasion, inflammation, and the development of gastric cancer.
Conclusions:
- The interplay between galectins and H. pylori deepens the understanding of mucosal immunity.
- Galectin-mediated pathways offer potential biomarkers for disease progression and novel therapeutic targets for H. pylori-associated diseases.
Keywords:
Helicobacter pyloriadaptive immunityautophagygalectinsgastric carcinogenesishost–pathogen interactionimmune evasioninnate immunitymucosal immunityβ-galactoside-binding lectinsMore Related Videos
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