Expression of the human cell surface glycoconjugates Lewis x and Lewis y by Helicobacter pylori isolates is related to cagA status.
Monoclonal antibodies were used in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for the detection of human Lewis immunodeterminants in the lipopolysaccharide of Helicobacter pylori. In 94 H. pylori isolates, expression of Lewis(x) (Le(x)) and Le(y) was a stable phenotypic marker independent of the growth medium and cell age; 46 (49%) of the isolates expressed both and 34 (36%) of the isolates expressed either Le(x) or Le(y); 14 (15%) were negative for both determinants. Twelve (13%) isolates expressed Le(b), 3 (3%) expressed Le(a), and 2 (2%) expressed sialyl-Le(x). H. pylori isolates positive for both Le(x) and Le(y) were predominantly cagA+ (P < 0.001) and possessed the s1 signal sequence (P < 0.05) and the m1 midregion type (P = 0.033) of vacA. Isogenic mutants of H. pylori CPY3401 were created by interruption of the cagA, picB, or ureA gene. The cagA-ablated strain (but not the picB- and ureA-ablated mutant strains) had significantly (P < 0.01) diminished expression of Le(y) compared with that of the wild-type strain; for all four strains, expression of Le(x) was similar. In conclusion, 89% of H. pylori isolates express Le determinants in their lipopolysaccharide, mimicking human cell surface glycoconjugates. Strong expression of Le(x) and Le(y) by cagA+ isolates could counterbalance their enhanced proinflammatory activities and thereby facilitate persistence.
Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee 37232-2605, USA.
H P
HP
Wirth
M
M
Yang
M
M
Karita
M J
MJ
Blaser
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D002236:Carbohydrate Conformation; D002240:Carbohydrate Sequence; D003470:Culture Media; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D016480:Helicobacter pylori / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development / Q000276:immunology* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D007983:Lewis Blood Group Antigens / Q000032:analysis* / Q000276:immunology; D016256:Lewis X Antigen / Q000032:analysis* / Q000276:immunology; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides / Q000737:chemistry*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009154:Mutation; D009844:Oligosaccharides / Q000032:analysis; D010641:Phenotype; D000080506:Sialyl Lewis X Antigen; D013276:Stomach Ulcer / Q000382:microbiology
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D003470:Culture Media; D007983:Lewis Blood Group Antigens; D016256:Lewis X Antigen; C094162:Lewis Y antigen; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D009844:Oligosaccharides; D000080506:Sialyl Lewis X Antigen; C080866:cagA protein, Helicobacter pylori