Lewis Epitopes on Outer Membrane Vesicles of Relevance to <i>Helicobacter pylori</i> Pathogenesis

Abstract

Our results demonstrate the ability of H. pylori to generate outer membrane vesicles bearing serologically recognizable Lewis antigens on lipopolysaccharide molecules which may contribute to the chronic immune stimulation of the host. The ability of these vesicles to absorb anti-Lewis autoantibodies indicates that they may, in part, play a role in putative autoimmune aspects of H. pylori pathogenesis.