Do Heliobacter Pylori outer membrane vescicles compromise the integrity of gastric epethelial cells?

Status: Complete
Year: 2008
Funded: $70,275
Grant Type: Major Project Grant

Gastric carriage of Helicobacter pylori occurs in more than half of all humans and is always associated with gastritis, the host inflammatory response to colonisation.  In most infected persons, H. pylori persist in the absence of clinical illness.  However, prolonged infection is recognised as an independent risk factor for gastric cancer.  Variation amongst H. pylori strains coupled with diversity in individual host and/or environmental factors increases this risk but an understanding of the relative importance of the individual factors remains elusive.H. pylori infection is thought to predispose to cancer by increasing epithelial cell turnover and there is increasing evidence of how these bacteria affect this response via the induction of host inflammatory responses.  We are particularly interested in the role of small outer membrane vesicles (OMV) in the progression of H. pylori-associated-disease. 

Researcher // Dr Kenny Chitcholtan – University of Otago

Dr Chitcholtan research interests are focusing on the activity of tyrosine kinases, targeted inhibitors, effects of ascitic fluid, and anti-tumour properties of natural food compounds in the progression of advanced ovarian cancer.

More About Dr Kenny Chitcholtan

Stay in touch with CMRF

// Get all the latest news and insights to your inbox