More than 50% of the world's population harbor Helicobacter pylori in their upper gastrointestinal tract. H. pylori persistently infects gastric mucosa and is associated with several diseases including peptic ulcer disease and gastric carcinoma. One of the most thoroughly studied virulence factors produced by H. pylori is the Vacuolating Cytotoxin A (VacA).The protein binds to the host cells and is internalized. Inside the host cells, it causes "vacuole"-like membrane vesicles in the cytoplasm of gastric epithelial cells. Besides vacuolation, VacA exerts various other effects on target cells....
More than 50% of the world's population harbor Helicobacter pylori in their upper gastrointestinal tract. H. pylori persistently infects gastric mucos...
