Stress Proteins and Local Immune Response in Helicobacter pylori-Associated Chronic Gastritis

Abstract

Interest in gastric immunity has increased since the rediscovery of Helicobacter pylori. The induction of local immune response elicited by these bacteria has focused the interest on stomach-associated immunology (this part of the gut was almost neglected for a long time due to its considered lack of immunocom-petence). Today, histologic evaluation of gastritis requires an immunologic basis.