Are Lewis b and H type 1 on Helicobacter pylori involved in binding of bacteria to MUC1 mucin?

BACKGROUND

Helicobacter pylori is responsible for gastroduodenal diseases such as chronic gastritis, gastric and duodenal ulcers and also gastric malignances. During an infection, gastric mucins, especially secretory MUC5AC, are said to participate in interactions with bacterial adhesins. Recently, epithelial MUC1 mucin has also been proposed to be engaged in infection development. H. pylori surface possesses lipopolisaccharides with Lewis antigens whose role in interactions with gastric mucins has not been elucidated thoroughly so far.

OBJECTIVES

To check the involvement of Lewis b and H type 1 structures of H. pylori in adhesion of bacteria to MUC1 mucin.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study was performed on gastric juices taken from 10 clinical patients and 4 H. pylori strains. Bacteria were assessed for the presence of Lewis b and H type 1 structures by ELISA test. Interactions of H. pylori with MUC1 were analyzed by sandwich ELISA method with bacteria pretreated or not with Lewis b - HSA or H type 1 - HSA glycoconjugates.

RESULTS

In the majority of the patients, the slight increase of adhesion of H. pylori to MUC1, after pretreatment of bacteria with H type 1 glycoconjugate was observed. A statistically significant difference was revealed in one strain with a dose of conjugate 50µg/mL (P = 0.05). The influence of Lewis b on adhesion is considered to be contradictory.

CONCLUSIONS

H type 1 antigens are suggested to be involved in carbohydrate - carbohydrate interactions of H. pylori with MUC1 mucin.