H. Pylori
Copyright ©The Author(s) 2003. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Jan 15, 2003; 9(1): 122-124
Published online Jan 15, 2003. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v9.i1.122
Expression of Lewisb blood group antigen in Helicobacter pylori does not interfere with bacterial adhesion property
Peng-Yuan Zheng, Jiesong Hua, Han-Chung Ng, Khay-Guan Yeoh, Ho Bow
Peng-Yuan Zheng, Jiesong Hua, Han-Chung Ng, Ho Bow, Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 5 Science Drive 2, Singapore 117597, Republic of Singapore
Khay-Guan Yeoh, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 5 Science Drive 2, Singapore 117597, Republic of Singapore
Author contributions: All authors contributed equally to the work.
Supported by a grant from the National University of Singapore, No. 6431
Correspondence to: Peng-Yuan Zheng, MD, PhD, Division of Gastroenterology/Nutrition, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, 555 University Ave. Toronto, ON, Canada M5G 1X8. pengyuan.zheng@sickkids.ca
Telephone: +1-416-8137072 Fax: +1-416-8136531
Received: August 3, 2002
Revised: August 15, 2002
Accepted: August 19, 2002
Published online: January 15, 2003
Abstract

AIM: The finding that some Helicobacter pylori strains express Lewis b (Leb) blood group antigen casts a doubt on the role of Leb of human gastric epithelium being a receptor for H. pylori. The aim of this study was to determine if expression of Leb in H. pylori interferes with bacterial adhesion property.

METHODS: Bacterial adhesion to immobilized Leb on microtitre plate was performed in 63 H. pylori strains obtained from Singapore using in vitro adherence assay. Expression of Lewis blood group antigens was determined by ELISA assay.

RESULTS: Among 63 H. pylori strains, 28 expressed Leb antigen. In vitro adhesion assay showed that 78.6% (22/28) of Leb-positive and 74.3% (26/35) of Leb-negative H. pylori isolates were positive for adhesion to immobilized Leb coated on microtitre plate (P = 0.772). In addition, blocking of H. pylori Leb by prior incubation with anti-Leb monoclonal antibody did not alter the binding of the bacteria to solid-phase coated Leb.

CONCLUSION: The present study suggests that expression of Leb in H. pylori does not interfere with the bacterial adhesion property. This result supports the notion that Leb present on human gastric epithelial cells is capable of being a receptor for H. pylori.

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