ATTACHMENT OF HELICOBACTER-PYLORI TO HUMAN GASTRIC EPITHELIUM MEDIATED BY BLOOD-GROUP ANTIGENS

Helicobacter pylori is associated with development of gastritis, gastric ulcers, and adenocarcinomas in humans. The Lewis(b) (Le(b)) blood group antigen mediates H. pylori attachment to human gastric mucosa. Soluble glycoproteins presenting the Le(b) antigen or antibodies to the Le(b) antigen inhibited bacterial binding. Gastric tissue lacking Le(b) expression did not bind H. pylori. Bacteria did not bind to Le(b) antigen substituted with a terminal GalNAcalpha1-3 residue (blood group A determinant), suggesting that the availability of H. pylori receptors might be reduced in individuals of blood group A and B phenotypes, as compared with blood group O individuals.