Aim: To study the properties and factors of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) adherence to human epithelial cells.
Methods: The adherent properties of human epithelial cells were studied using a group of isolated H. pylori strains, anti-H. pylori monoclonal antibodies and varied pH environment in in vitro adherence model with HEp2 cells.
Results: H. pylori YC 11A was able to adhere to HEp2 cells specifically and its adherence efficiency reached the highest (81%) within 3 h after incubation with HEp2 cells. There was no significant difference between adherence in air and in 5% oxygen. The monoclonal antibodies specific to H. pylori predominant antigens did not inhibit activities on adherence of H. pylori to HEp2 cells. The pH value significantly affected the adherence process and the optimal pH was 3.0-4.6.
Conclusion: H. pylori specifically adheres to HEp2 cells, and pH value significantly affects this process. A high level of anti-H. pylori predominant antibodies in serum may have no protective activities against H. pylori infection.
Keywords: Antibodies; Epithelial cells; Helicobacter pylori; Hydrogen ion concentration; Monoclonal antibodies.