[Adhesion of Helicobacter pylori--role of glycolipid adhesion receptors].

In the gastric mucosa, the composition of acidic glycolipids has unique feature of enrichment of sulfatides over gangliosides. Immunohistochemical staining using a monoclonal antibody demonstrated that the sulfated glycolipids specifically localized on surface epithelial cells. Moreover, cultured gastric mucosal cells actively synthesized sulfated glycolipids. We have also shown that it may be recognized as an adhesion receptor by Helicobacter pylori (HP). Since other investigators have proposed various other substances as adhesion receptors for HP, the mechanism of adhesion by HP might be more complex and involve several adhesion molecules. When given orally, sulfatides protected gastric mucosa from acid-ethanol induced damage. Specific localization and synthesis of sulfatides in the surface epithelial cells, along with their gastroprotective action, are reminiscent of the surface-active phospholipids which are advocated to play important roles in maintaining gastric mucosal hydrophobicity. Further studies are necessary to elucidate the physiological roles of this unique substance in the stomach.