The Role of Human Plasminogen in the Virulence of Helicobacter pylori
Helicobacter pylori is an important pathogen inhabiting the human stomach. H. pylori binds plasminogen, a 90 kDa glycoprotein secreted by liver cells, and utilizes it for enhancing virulence. Surface receptors on the bacteria recognize plasminogen that is then activated into plasmin by host factors. The active plasmin can degrade a range of host proteins including proteins of the extracellular mat
