Expression of the VapD protein by Helicobacter pylori during intracellular infection

Abstract

Helicobacter pylori genotype I is strongly associated with different gastric pathologies and with the development of gastric cancer. There are several virulence factors that act in synergy to damage the gastric epithelium. Recently, the participation of the vapD gene in the persistence of Helicobacter pylori inside the gastric cell has been described. The objective of present study was to determine the VapD protein expression and location of Helicobacter pylori, when the microorganism is inside the eukaryote cell. Our research group had to development the recombinant VapD protein, polyclonal antibodies against VapD, cocultures of Helicobacter pylori and AGS cells and an immunofluorescence assay. Our results show that the VapD protein is expressed when the bacteria are inside the eukaryote cell. Probably maintaining homeostasis in the bacteria to resist the stress exerted by the intracellular environment of the gastric cell.