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

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

Jacek Baj  1 , Alicja Forma  2 , Monika Sitarz  3 , Piero Portincasa  4 , Gabriella Garruti  5 , Danuta Krasowska  6 , Ryszard Maciejewski  1
Affiliations
Review

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

Jacek Baj et al. Cells. .

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.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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