Letters To The Editor
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World J Gastroenterol. Dec 21, 2014; 20(47): 18057-18058
Published online Dec 21, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i47.18057
Helicobacter, gamma-glutamyltransferase and cancer: Further intriguing connections
Maria Franzini, Alessandro Corti, Vanna Fierabracci, Alfonso Pompella
Maria Franzini, Alessandro Corti, Vanna Fierabracci, Alfonso Pompella, Department of Translational Research NTMC, University of Pisa Medical School, 56126 Pisa, Italy
Author contributions: Pompella A wrote this letter; all authors concurred to research and discussion, and to prepare revision of the letter.
Supported by University of Pisa School of Medicine research funds (2013)
Correspondence to: Alfonso Pompella, MD, PhD, Professor of General Pathology, Department of Translational Research NTMC, University of Pisa Medical School, via Roma 55, 56126 Pisa, Italy. alfonso.pompella@med.unipi.it
Telephone: +39-050-2218537 Fax: +39-050-2218557
Received: May 15, 2014
Revised: June 21, 2014
Accepted: July 29, 2014
Published online: December 21, 2014
Processing time: 218 Days and 23 Hours
Abstract

Virulence of Helicobacter pylori, Helicobacter suis and other bacteria appears to be partly mediated through a release of gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT), an enzyme activity capable of promoting biochemical reactions ultimately resulting in damage to gastric epithelium and suppression of immune response. Recently published studies show that secretion of bacterial GGT occurs in the form of exosome-like vesicles. Very similar GGT-rich exosomes have been described to originate from human cancer cells, and the hypothesis is thus forwarded that in the resistant and invasive phenotype of malignant cells such vesicular/exosomal GGT may play roles akin to those described for Helicobacter infection, thus providing a significant contribution to the establishment of cancer metastases.

Keywords: Helicobacter pylori; Helicobacter suis; Virulence; Gamma-glutamyltransferase; Immunosuppression; Cancer metastasis

Core tip: Biochemical reactions promoted by gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) of Helicobacter is capable of causing damage to gastric epithelium and suppression of immune response. Bacterial GGT is secreted as exosome-like vescicles, and very similar GGT-rich exosomes are released from human cancer cells. In the resistant and invasive phenotype of malignant cells, such secreted GGT may play roles akin to those described for Helicobacter infection, concurring to the establishment of cancer metastases.