[Perspective of Helicobacter pylori research: molecular pathogenesis of Helicobacter pylori virulence factors].

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) causes chronic gastritis in human stomach, a minority of which progress to peptic ulcer disease, atrophic gastritis, or gastric malignancies. Clinical outcomes of H. pylori infection has been shown to depend on the variability of H. pylori virulence factors, host susceptibility, environmental factors and their interactions. This review provides an update on the molecular pathogenesis of H. pylori infection, focused on H. pylori virulence factors, H. pylori-gastric epithelium interactions, and modulation of host cell signaling. Understanding of H. pylori molecular pathogenic mechanism will facilitate the development of novel treatment strategies for eradication of the bacterium and prevention of H. pylori-induced gastropathy.