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

Helicobacter pylori is associated with development of gastritis, gastr ic ulcers, and adenocarcinomas in humans. The Lewis(b) (Le(b)) blood g roup antigen mediates H. pylori attachment to human gastric mucosa. So luble 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) an tigen substituted with a terminal GalNAcalpha1-3 residue (blood group A determinant), suggesting that the availability of H. pylori receptor s might be reduced in individuals of blood group A and B phenotypes, a s compared with blood group O individuals.