Gastroenterology

Gastroenterology

Volume 114, Issue 4, April 1998, Pages 690-696
Gastroenterology

Alimentary Tract
Molecular mimicry of ferret gastric epithelial blood group antigen A by Helicobacter mustelae☆,☆☆

https://doi.org/10.1016/S0016-5085(98)70582-7Get rights and content

Abstract

Background & Aims: Molecular mimicry of Lewis blood group antigens by Helicobacter pylori may be involved in immune evasion by the bacteria and in the pathogenesis of chronic atrophic gastritis. Helicobacter mustelae infects ferrets naturally, causing gastritis, and may be involved in ulcerogenesis. The aim of this study was to determine if H. mustelae shows a similar form of molecular mimicry. Methods: Antibodies raised against H. mustelae were used to stain ferret gastric tissue by immunoblotting, immunohistochemistry, and flow cytometry. Epitopes recognized by cross-reactivity were characterized by proteinase K and sodium metaperiodate treatment. Results: H. mustelae antiserum reacted with H. mustelae and with ferret gastric tissue. Absorption of the antiserum with H. mustelae or ferret and rabbit gastric tissue removed the cross-reactive antibodies. Antibodies reacted with a blood group antigen A–like structure on ferret gastric epithelial cells and H. mustelae lipopolysaccharide. Conclusions: H. mustelae expresses a blood group–like antigen as part of its lipopolysaccharide that may be used as a method of immune evasion by mimicry of gastric epithelial cells. The cross-reactivity shown by H. mustelae–specific antibodies with gastric mucosa may suggest a role for autoantibodies in the pathogenesis of H. mustelae–induced gastritis in ferrets.

GASTROENTEROLOGY 1998;114:690-696

Section snippets

Bacterial strains

H. pylori strain PU3 was isolated from antral biopsy material obtained from a child undergoing upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. H. mustelae strains NCTC 12198 and NCTC 12032 were obtained from the National Collection of Type Cultures (Public Health Laboratory Service, London, England). Both H. pylori and H. mustelae were cultured on Columbia blood agar plates (Oxoid, Columbia, MD) containing 7% defibrinated horse blood for 3 days at 37°C in an atmosphere of 5% O2 and 10% CO2.

Raising of specific anti–H. mustelae antibodies

H. mustelae strain

Cross-reactivity between H. mustelae–specific antibodies and ferret gastric cells

As determined by Western immunoblotting, H. mustelae–specific antibodies reacted with total cell lysates of ferret gastric, duodenal, and colonic epithelial cells, giving diffuse bands ranging from 60 kilodaltons upwards. These bands were also observed on rabbit gastric epithelial cells but not on human gastric epithelial cells. Preimmune serum showed no reaction with either H. mustelae or epithelial cell lysates (Figure 1).

. Analysis of gastric epithelial cells and H. mustelae strain 12198

Discussion

In this study, we have shown cross-reactivity between H. mustelae–specific antibodies and ferret gastric epithelial cells, with cross-reactive antigens reacting to a blood group antigen A–like structure found on both cell surfaces. This suggests that the ferret may be an excellent animal model for studying the relevance of molecular mimicry between Helicobacter species and the gastric mucosa, which may be of significance in relation to possible immune evasion that has been suggested as an

Acknowledgements

The authors thank Annette Power for performing the blood group titrations, Francis Owens for paraffin embedding and cutting the tissue, and Dr. Anthony Moran for helpful discussions.

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    Address requests for reprints to: Marguerite Clyne, Ph.D., Department of Paediatrics, University College Dublin, The Children's Research Centre, Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children, Crumlin, Dublin 12, Ireland. Fax: (353) 1-4555307.

    ☆☆

    Supported by grants from the Health Research Board, Ireland, and The Children's Research Centre, Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children, Dublin, Ireland.

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