Helicobacter pylori and gastric inflammation: Role of MUC1 mucin

More than half of the world's population is infected with Helicobacter pylori , which is strongly linked to the development of chronic gastric inflammation (gastritis), peptic ulcer disease, and stomach cancer. However, for unknown reasons, the vast majority of infected individuals are asymptomatic beyond histologic inflammation. This review article will summarize current knowledge on the molecular mechanisms of H. pylori colonization of the gastric mucosa, with a particular focus on the biochemistry of MUC1 mucin in the host response to bacterial infection.