title: Lewis antigen expression by Helicobacter pylori.
abstract: Although Helicobacter pylori express Lewis antigens as a component in the lipopolysaccharide, their role in the infectious process is not well understood. Lewis antigen expression with growth phase was investigated, as well as the distribution of Lewis antigens among isolates from asymptomatic and symptomatic individuals. Lewis antigens are expressed by H. pylori in a growth phase-dependent manner, with the greatest expression occurring in the logarithmic phase of growth. As growth proceeds, an increasing amount of Lewis antigens are shed into the culture supernatant. Lewis antigen expression among H. pylori isolates from asymptomatic individuals is characterized by an absence of type I Lewis antigens, a decrease in Le(x) expression, and an increase in nontypeable H. pylori, as compared with that among H. pylori isolates from symptomatic patients. The data support a role for Lewis antigens in the pathogenesis associated with symptomatic H. pylori infection in colonized individuals.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. drask001@umaryland.edu
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Rasko
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Keelan
authors.forename: T J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Wilson
authors.forename: D E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Taylor
mesh_terms: D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000276:immunology*; D016480:Helicobacter pylori / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007983:Lewis Blood Group Antigens / Q000032:analysis*; D016256:Lewis X Antigen / Q000032:analysis*; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology; D009844:Oligosaccharides / Q000032:analysis*; D012016:Reference Values
chemical_list: D007983:Lewis Blood Group Antigens; D016256:Lewis X Antigen; C094162:Lewis Y antigen; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D009844:Oligosaccharides; C404741:galactopyranosyl-1-3-galactopyranosyl-1-3(4)-N-acetylglucosamine