Helicobacter pylori Virulence Factors-Mechanisms of Bacterial Pathogenicity in the Gastric Microenvironment

Cells. 2020 Dec 25;10(1):27. doi: 10.3390/cells10010027.

Abstract

Gastric cancer constitutes one of the most prevalent malignancies in both sexes; it is currently the fourth major cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. The pathogenesis of gastric cancer is associated with the interaction between genetic and environmental factors, among which infection by Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is of major importance. The invasion, survival, colonization, and stimulation of further inflammation within the gastric mucosa are possible due to several evasive mechanisms induced by the virulence factors that are expressed by the bacterium. The knowledge concerning the mechanisms of H. pylori pathogenicity is crucial to ameliorate eradication strategies preventing the possible induction of carcinogenesis. This review highlights the current state of knowledge and the most recent findings regarding H. pylori virulence factors and their relationship with gastric premalignant lesions and further carcinogenesis.

Keywords: BabA; DupA; Helicobacter pylori; OpiA; SabA; cagA; pathogenicity; urease; vacA; virulence factor.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antigens, Bacterial / physiology*
  • Bacterial Proteins / physiology*
  • Carcinogenesis / pathology
  • Gastric Mucosa / microbiology
  • Gastric Mucosa / pathology
  • Helicobacter Infections / microbiology*
  • Helicobacter pylori / pathogenicity*
  • Humans
  • Virulence Factors / physiology*

Substances

  • Antigens, Bacterial
  • Bacterial Proteins
  • Virulence Factors