Abstract
One of the major toxins secreted by H. pylori is the Vacuolating cytotoxin A (VacA) named after its ability to induce the formation of “vacuole”-like membrane vesicles in the cytoplasm of gastric cells. VacA has been associated with the disruption of mitochondrial functions, stimulation of apoptosis, blockade of T cell proliferation and promotion of regulatory T cells, thereby making it a promising vaccine target. Immunity to bacterial virulence factors is well known to protect humans against bacterial infections; hence, detoxified VacA has been evaluated as a vaccine antigen. Our short review summarizes the pre-clinical and clinical data that have been published on the use of VacA in the development of the H. pylori vaccine.
Highlights
Helicobacter pylori infection is one of the most common infections in human beings worldwide [1].After entering the stomach, H. pylori colonizes the mucus gastric layer [2] but does not traverse the epithelial barrier [3], and it is considered a non-invasive bacterium
Most of H. pylori organisms are free living in the mucus layer, but some organisms attach to gastric epithelial cells [3]
While this study demonstrated the proof of concept for mucosal vaccine-induced protection against H. pylori infection, more work needs to be done in order to enhance its protective capacity
Summary
Helicobacter pylori infection is one of the most common infections in human beings worldwide [1]. Like other antimicrobial treatments, the therapy may select resistant H. pylori strains [13,14] Alternative therapies such as vaccine development against H. pylori, have been evaluated [15]. Immunity to bacterial virulence factors is known to protect humans against bacterial infections. As described above, H. pylori has a large arsenal of virulence factors that help the bacteria to colonize and persist within the stomach mucosa of its host. One of these virulence factors, Urease is essential for colonization and pathogenic events and due to its abundance has made it an ideal vaccine candidate [18]. VacA is one of the virulence factors that have been evaluated as vaccine antigen
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
