FLOW CYTOMETRIC ANALYSIS OF THE HEAT-SHOCK PROTEIN-60 EXPRESSED ON THE CELL-SURFACE OF HELICOBACTER-PYLORI

The expression of a 60-kDa heat shock protein (HSP60) on the cell surf ace of Helicobacter pylori was analysed by flow cytometry with polyclo nal antibody directed to HSP60, All 13 strains of H. pylori examined e xpressed HSP60 on the cell surface, although the intensity of expressi on was different among the strains and depended on culture conditions. There was a correlation between the intensity of HSP60 expressed on t he cell surface and tile rate of adherence to human gastric carcinoma cells (MKN45) by H. pylori, but not with urease activity and productio n of vacuolating toxin, By flow cytometric analysis with monoclonal an tibody (MAb) 3C8 against HSP60, the reactive epitope in the HSP60 of H . pylori was detected, on the surface of MKN45 cells, Furthermore, it was shown that gastric epithelial cells were positively stained with M Ab 3C8 in one of two biopsy specimens examined, These results suggest that there is a common epitope showing homology between H. pylori HSP6 0 and human gastric epithelial cells.