Lipopolysaccharide in bacterial chronic infection: Insights from Helicobacter pylori lipopolysaccharide and lipid A

Lipopolysaccharides are generally considered toxic components of the Gram-negative bacterial outer membrane with potent immunomodulating and immunostimulating properties, but their contribution to adaptation of a given bacterial species to its microbial niche is, however, predominantly overlooked. Helicobacter pylori, as a cause of longterm infection in the gastroduodenal tract, has been proposed as a model for investigating and understanding the dynamics of bacterial persistence and parasitism in chronic infections. This review examines the structure and properties of H. pylori lipopolysaccharide and its lipid A moiety, and the insights that have been gained into their contribution to chronic infection and pathogenesis, including evasion and dampening of innate immune responses. (c) 2007 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.