title: Modulation of autophagy by Helicobacter pylori and its role in gastric carcinogenesis.
abstract: Helicobacter pylori infection represents the strongest known risk factor for the development of gastric cancer. The vacuolating cytotoxin (VacA) plays a key role in disease pathogenesis by exerting pleiotrophic effects on the host. One effect of acute VacA exposure is the induction of autophagy. However, prolonged exposure to the toxin disrupts autophagy by preventing maturation of the autolysosome. Novel insights into the mechanism and consequences of this phenomenon have emerged, but many aspects remain largely unknown. Current evidence supports a scenario in which H. pylori-suppressed autophagy facilitates intracellular survival and persistence of the pathogen, while also generating an environment favoring carcinogenesis.
authors.affiliation: Departments of Paediatrics and Physiology, University of Toronto, Cell Biology Program, Research Institute, The Hospital for Sick Children, 555 University Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 1X8, Canada.
authors.forename: Laura K
authors.initials: LK
authors.lastname: Greenfield
authors.forename: Nicola L
authors.initials: NL
authors.lastname: Jones
mesh_terms: D001343:Autophagy; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D063646:Carcinogenesis; D016480:Helicobacter pylori / Q000276:immunology* / Q000502:physiology*; D054884:Host-Pathogen Interactions; D050296:Microbial Viability; D037521:Virulence Factors / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D001426:Bacterial Proteins; C074689:VacA protein, Helicobacter pylori; D037521:Virulence Factors
keywords: Helicobacter pylori; autophagy; gastric cancer; vacuolating cytotoxin (VacA)