Helicobacter pylori cell-surface antigens (H. pylori antigens)

Helicobacter pylori cell-surface antigens are a diverse group of molecules, including proteins and lipopolysaccharides, that reside on the outer membrane of the bacterium (Salama et al., 2013). These antigens, such as urease, BabA, and SabA, play critical roles in the pathogen's ability to survive the acidic environment of the stomach and adhere to the gastric epithelium (Kusters et al., 2006). Virulence factors like CagA and VacA are also exposed or secreted at the surface, where they interact with host cells to trigger inflammatory responses and cellular damage. In clinical diagnostics, these antigens are the primary targets for the H. pylori stool antigen test (HpSA), which is a gold standard for non-invasive detection of active infection (Mayo Clinic, 2023). Therapeutically, these antigens are being extensively studied as candidates for prophylactic and therapeutic vaccines to prevent peptic ulcers and gastric adenocarcinoma (Sutton & Boag, 2019). While traditional antibiotics target internal bacterial processes, emerging immunotherapies and bismuth-based compounds interact with these surface components to disrupt colonization. The high degree of genetic variability among H. pylori strains presents a challenge for developing a universal vaccine targeting these antigens. Understanding the structural biology of these surface molecules is essential for creating targeted interventions that can bypass the bacterium's sophisticated immune evasion mechanisms.

Other names

Helicobacter pylori surface proteinsH. pylori outer membrane proteinsH. pylori whole-cell antigensHpSA

Neutralization of bacterial virulence factors and inhibition of gastric mucosal adhesion through antibody-mediated binding or chemical interference (Kusters et al., 2006).