Are Autoantibodies against Lewis Antigens Involved in the Pathogenesis of Helicobacter pylori-Induced Peptic Ulcers?

Abstract

We examined whether anti-Lewis x (Le^x) and y (Le^y) autoantibodies affect the pathogenesis of Helicobacter pylori-induced peptic ulcers. Of 11 patients with peptic ulcers, 10 patients had both anti-Le^x and -Le^y immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies, and 1 patient had only anti-Le^x antibody. After successful eradication, we measured the serum titer of anti-Le^x and -Le^y antibodies. Six patients had a reduction of the titers of anti-Le^x and/or -Le^y antibodies, whereas no notable changes were detected in 5 patients in the follow-up. This result suggests that anti-Le^x and -Le^y autoantibodies had no critical role in the development of H. pylori-induced peptic ulcer.