Structural modifications of Helicobacter pylori lipopolysaccharide: An idea for how to live in peace

Figure 1 Chemical structures of Helicobacter pylori and Escherichia coli Kdo-lipid A domains. The majority of Escherichia coli (E. coli) species express lipid A composed of two gluco-configurated hexosamine residues, two phosphate groups at the 1- and 4’- positions, and six C12-C14 long fatty acids. In contrast, the low immunogenic lipid A of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a tetraacylated molecule with the long acyl chains C16-C18 that is lacking the 4’-phosphate group. Modified from Cullen et al[34].