Editorial
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World J Gastroenterol. Jun 7, 2011; 17(21): 2585-2591
Published online Jun 7, 2011. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v17.i21.2585
Helicobacter pylori neutrophil activating protein as target for new drugs against H. pylori inflammation
Theodora Choli-Papadopoulou, Filippos Kottakis, Georgios Papadopoulos, Stefanos Pendas
Theodora Choli-Papadopoulou, Filippos Kottakis, Stefanos Pendas, Laboratory of Biochemistry, School of Chemistry, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, TK 54124, Thessaloniki, Greece
Filippos Kottakis, Molecular Oncology Research Institute, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, MA 02111, United States
Georgios Papadopoulos, Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, University of Thessaly, Ploutonos 26, TK 41221 Larissa, Greece
Georgios Papadopoulos, Department of Pharmacy, University of Patras, GR-26500, Patras, Greece
Author contributions: Choli-Papadopoulou T designed the biochemical and clinical part of the research; Kottakis F performed the most of the biological experiments; Papadopoulos G designed and performed the molecular dynamics part of the research; Pendas S contributed to the clinical trial with patients receiving mastic gum.
Supported by A Grant from the General Secretariat of Research and Technology, Ministry of Development of Greece, by the Program HERAKLITOS I as well as by Chios Gum Mastic Growers Association
Correspondence to: Theodora Choli-Papadopoulou, Professor, Laboratory of Biochemistry, School of Chemistry, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, TK 54124, Thessaloniki, Greece. tcholi@chem.auth.gr
Telephone: +30-2310-997806 Fax: +30-2310-997689
Received: October 12, 2010
Revised: February 15, 2011
Accepted: February 22, 2011
Published online: June 7, 2011
Abstract

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is among the most common human infections and the major risk factor for peptic ulcer disease and gastric cancer. Within this work we present the implication of C-terminal region of H. pylori neutrophil activating protein in the stimulation of neutrophil activation as well as the evidence that the C-terminal region of H. pylori activating protein is indispensable for neutrophil adhesion to endothelial cells, a step necessary to H. pylori inflammation. In addition we show that arabino galactan proteins derived from chios mastic gum, the natural resin of the plant Pistacia lentiscus var. Chia inhibit neutrophil activation in vitro.

Keywords: Helicobacter pylori neutrophil activating protein; Helicobacter pylori; Peptic ulcer disease; Gastric cancer