Lack of correlation between Lewis antigen expression by Helicobacter pylori and gastric epithelial cells in infected patients.
OBJECTIVE
Lewis antigens are expressed by both human gastric epithelial tissue and Helicobacter pylori. We examined Lewis antigens expressed by gastric epithelium and by H. pylori isolated from the corresponding biopsy tissue.


METHODS
H. pylori Lewis expression was determined by enzyme immunoassays, and immunoelectron microscopy was used to confirm the Lewis antigens on some H. pylori cells and in some biopsy specimens. Histopathology using identical monoclonal antibodies specific for Lewis A, B, X, and Y antigens was used to detect these antigens in 24 gastric biopsy specimens.


RESULTS
We identified Lewis Y in 100%, Lewis X and Lewis B in 95.8%, and Lewis A in 87.5% of biopsy specimens. In H. pylori, 87.5% expressed Lewis Y, 79.2% Lewis X, and 4.2% (one strain) Lewis B. No Lewis A was detected. Antibody specific for Lewis X labeled the bacteria and associated adhesion pedestal. The cagA gene was present in 92% of strains.


CONCLUSIONS
There was no direct relationship between Lewis antigen expression by H. pylori and gastric epithelial cells in infected patients. Expression of Lewis X and Lewis Y by H. pylori suggests the possibility of their requirement for establishment and/or maintenance of infection. An immunoelectron micrograph of H. pylori interaction with the gastric epithelial adhesion pedestal suggests a tentative role for Lewis X in the adhesion process.
Taylor
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Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Medical Sciences Building, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. diane.taylor@ualberta.ca
Rasko
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Sherburne
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Ho
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Jewell
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LD
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D001422:Bacterial Adhesion / Q000502:physiology; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D001706:Biopsy; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D005756:Gastritis / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D016480:Helicobacter pylori / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000472:pathogenicity; D006801:Humans; D007983:Lewis Blood Group Antigens / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics; D016256:Lewis X Antigen / Q000032:analysis; D008297:Male; D016253:Microscopy, Immunoelectron; D008875:Middle Aged; D010641:Phenotype; D013270:Stomach / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology
D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D007983:Lewis Blood Group Antigens; D016256:Lewis X Antigen; C094162:Lewis Y antigen; C080866:cagA protein, Helicobacter pylori