title: Helicobacter pylori phase variation, immune modulation and gastric autoimmunity.
abstract: Helicobacter pylori can be regarded as a model pathogen for studying persistent colonization of humans. Phase-variable expression of Lewis blood-group antigens by H. pylori allows this microorganism to modulate the host T-helper-1-cell versus T-helper-2-cell response. We describe a model in which interactions between host lectins and pathogen carbohydrates facilitate asymptomatic persistence of H. pylori. This delicate balance, favourable for both the pathogen and the host, could lead to gastric autoimmunity in genetically susceptible individuals.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Erasmus Medical Center, Room L-253, 3015 GD Rotterdam, The Netherlands. m.bergman@erasmusmc.nl
authors.forename: Mathijs
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bergman
authors.forename: Gianfranco
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Del Prete
authors.forename: Yvette
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: van Kooyk
authors.forename: Ben
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Appelmelk
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D015551:Autoimmunity; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology*; D016480:Helicobacter pylori / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D013272:Stomach Diseases / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology*