pH-dependent binding of Helicobacter pylori to pig gastric mucins

A microtiter-based assay was developed to study the binding of Helicobacter pylori to pig gastric mucins purified by density-gradient centrifugation i n CsCl/4 M guanidinium chloride. Binding of H. pylori was observed over the 'mucin' band as well as with 'low-density' components in the gradients, an d binding to the latter was more pronounced when incubations were performed at 37 degrees C as compared to 20 degrees C. At a lower pH, binding of H. pylori (strain SVA 40) to the 'high-density' mucins from pig antrum was inc reased but binding to the 'low-density' ones was decreased. Binding of the P466 strain (Le(b)-specific) was mainly associated with the 'mucin' band, w hereas the MO19 strain reacted preferentially with the 'low-density' compon ents. In summary, H. pylori may bind to gastric mucins and the binding is i nfluenced by temperature, pH and the repertoire of bacterial adhesins. (C) 1999 Federation of European Microbiological Societies. Published by Elsevie r Science B.V. All rights reserved.