Are anti-Helicobacter pylori urease antibodies involved in atherosclerotic diseases?

Objectives: The ureB subunit of urease is a major target recognized by the antibodies of Helicobacter pylori-infected patients. The minimal epitope was determined to be an 8-mer peptide (H-SIKEDVQF-OH). Design and methods: The aim of this study was to discover whether this synthetic 8-mer peptide (BK-61A) directly recognizes the anti-ureB subunit antibodies of H. pylori-infected and atherosclerotic patients. To achieve a better presentation of the epitopes to antibodies, a new isocyanuric linker was designed and used for to immobilize the peptides oil a cellulose support. Results: In this study a new peptide synthesis method is presented. Anti-ureB antibodies were evaluated by the dot blot technique in 26 H. pylori-infected donors and the sera of 20 H. pylori-infected patients with atherosclerosis using the 8-mer peptide. Conclusions: The results reveal that the BK-61A peptide could be used for diagnosing the presence of anti-ureB antibodies that may be involved in the initiation of atherosclerosis. (c) 2010 The Canadian Society of clinical Chemists. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.