Role of Campylobacter jejuni gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase on epithelial cell apoptosis and lymphocyte proliferation

Abstract

C. jejuni GGT activity is comparable to that of other Epsilonproteobacteria GGTs and more generally to Helicobacter bilis (inhibition of epithelial cell and lymphocyte proliferation, however with no proapoptotic activity). It could therefore be considered as a pathogenicity factor and promote, via the inhibition of lymphocyte proliferation, the persistence of the bacteria in the host. These observations are consistent with a role of this enzyme in the pathophysiology of chronic infections associated with C. jejuni.