title: VacA-associated inhibition of T-cell function: reviewed and reconsidered.
abstract: Chronic Helicobacter pylori infection is characterized by dense infiltration of the mucosa with neutrophilic granulocytes, lymphocytes, and monocytes/macrophages. Among these different cell types, T-lymphocytes are the most intriguing and crucial cells for the elimination of the bacteria. Previous studies have elucidated possible mechanisms on how bacteria could interfere with the human immune response and claimed that especially the secreted vacuolating toxin VacA may be responsible for the chronic persistence of the bacteria. Some of these results have to be interpreted with caution and may just describe in vitro phenomena; others may reveal promising facts.
authors: II. Medical Department, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany.
authors: Christian
authors: C
authors: Schmees
authors: Markus
authors: M
authors: Gerhard
authors: Tilman
authors: T
authors: Treptau
authors: Petra
authors: P
authors: Voland
authors: Susanne
authors: S
authors: Schwendy
authors: Roland
authors: R
authors: Rad
authors: Christian
authors: C
authors: Prinz