Increased Inflammatory Responses of Persons of Blood Group O to Helicobacter pylori

Persons of blood group O are at increased risk of peptic ulcers. Enhanced binding of Helicobacter pylori to epithelial cells of persons of blood group O has been demonstrated. Release of interleukin (IL)—6, IL-10, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)—α by human leukocytes from 40 donors (10 from each ABO blood group) was measured after incubation in vitro with outer membrane protein preparations of H. pylori. Isolates DU (from a patient with a duodenal ulcer), GC (from a patient with gastric cancer), NE (from a patient with normal endoscopic findings), and NCTC 11637 bound in significantly higher numbers to group O leukocytes. Bacterial binding correlated with release of IL-6 and TNF-α but not of IL-10. Group O cells released significantly more IL-6 in response to DU, NE, and NCTC 11637, and the cells released more TNF-α in response to DU and NCTC 11637. Increased density of colonization of epithelial cells and higher inflammatory responses to H. pylori of persons of blood group O might contribute to increased susceptibility to peptic ulceration.