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World J Gastroenterol. Jan 21, 2014; 20(3): 630-638
Published online Jan 21, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i3.630
Helicobacter pylori gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase and its pathogenic role
Vittorio Ricci, Maria Giannouli, Marco Romano, Raffaele Zarrilli
Vittorio Ricci, Department of Molecular Medicine, Human Physiology Section, University of Pavia Medical School, 27100 Pavia, Italy
Maria Giannouli, Department of Public Health, Hygiene Section, University of Naples “Federico II”, 80131 Naples, Italy
Marco Romano, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Chair of Gastroenterology, Second University of Naples, 80131 Naples, Italy
Raffaele Zarrilli, Department of Public Health, Hygiene Section, University of Naples “Federico II”, 80131 Naples, Italy
Raffaele Zarrilli, CEINGE Biotecnologie Avanzate, 80131 Naples, Italy
Author contributions: All authors contributed to this manuscrip.
Supported by Italian Ministry for University and Research (Progetto di Ricerca di Interesse Nazionale No. 2009A37C8C_002, to Ricci V); Fondazione Cariplo Grant (No. 2011-0485 to Ricci V); Second University of Naples (CIRANAD to Romano M); and University of Naples “Federico II” (Fondo d’Ateneo per la Ricerca; to Zarrilli R)
Correspondence to: Raffaele Zarrilli, MD, PhD, Department of Public Health, Hygiene Section, University of Naples “Federico II”, 80131 Naples, Italy. rafzarri@unina.it
Telephone: +39-81-7463026 Fax: +39-81-7463352
Received: October 2, 2013
Revised: October 30, 2013
Accepted: November 28, 2013
Published online: January 21, 2014
Processing time: 140 Days and 2.7 Hours
Abstract

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) is a bacterial virulence factor that converts glutamine into glutamate and ammonia, and converts glutathione into glutamate and cysteinylglycine. H. pylori GGT causes glutamine and glutathione consumption in the host cells, ammonia production and reactive oxygen species generation. These products induce cell-cycle arrest, apoptosis, and necrosis in gastric epithelial cells. H. pylori GGT may also inhibit apoptosis and induce gastric epithelial cell proliferation through the induction of cyclooxygenase-2, epidermal growth factor-related peptides, inducible nitric oxide synthase and interleukin-8. H. pylori GGT induces immune tolerance through the inhibition of T cell-mediated immunity and dendritic cell differentiation. The effect of GGT on H. pylori colonization and gastric persistence are also discussed.

Keywords: Helicobacter pylori; Gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase; Bacterial virulence factor; Gastric epithelial cell damage; T cell-mediated immunity

Core tip: In this review, we focus on the biochemical features and physiological role of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase and analyze the mechanisms through which gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase affects H. pylori gastric colonization, persistence, immune tolerance and damage to the gastric mucosa.