Editorial
Copyright ©2006 Baishideng Publishing Group Co., Limited. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Sep 21, 2006; 12(35): 5593-5598
Published online Sep 21, 2006. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v12.i35.5593
Immune response to H pylori
Giovanni Suarez, Victor E Reyes, Ellen J Beswick
Giovanni Suarez, Victor E Reyes, Ellen J Beswick, Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, United States
Victor E Reyes, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, United States
Author contributions: All authors contributed equally to the work.
Supported by the National Institutes of Health Grants DK50669 and DK56338; EB was funded by the National Institutes of Health T32 AI007536-06 Training Grant
Correspondence to: Dr. Ellen J Beswick, Children’s Hospital, Room 2.300, University of Texas Medical Branch, 301 University Blvd. Galveston, TX 77555, United States. ejbeswic@utmb.edu
Telephone: +1-409-7723897 Fax: +1-409-7721761
Received: June 28, 2006
Revised: July 1, 2006
Accepted: July 7, 2006
Published online: September 21, 2006
Abstract

The gastric mucosa separates the underlying tissue from the vast array of antigens that traffic through the stomach lumen. While the extreme pH of this environment is essential in aiding the activation of enzymes and food digestion, it also renders the gastric epithelium free from bacterial colonization, with the exception of one important human pathogen, H pylori. This bacterium has developed mechanisms to survive the harsh environment of the stomach, actively move through the mucosal layer, attach to the epithelium, evade immune responses, and achieve persistent colonization. While a hallmark of this infection is a marked inflammatory response with the infiltration of various immune cells into the infected gastric mucosa, the host immune response is unable to clear the infection and may actually contribute to the associated pathogenesis. Here, we review the host responses involved during infection with H pylori and how they are influenced by this bacterium.

Keywords: H pylori; Immune response; T cell; Dendritic cells