Exosomal CagA derived from Helicobacter pylori-infected gastric epithelial cells induces macrophage foam cell formation and promotes atherosclerosis

Background Seroepidemiological studies have highlighted a positive relation between CagA-positive Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), atherosclerosis and related clinic events. However, this link has not been well validated. The present study was designed to explore the role of H. pylori PMSS1 (a CagA-positive strain that can translocate CagA into host cells) and exosomal CagA in the progression of atherosclerosis. Methods To evaluate whether H....