Helicobacter pylori Activates and Expands Lgr5+ Stem Cells Through Direct Colonization of the Gastric Glands

H pylori colonize and manipulate the progenitor and stem cell compartments, which alters turnover kinetics and glandular hyperplasia. Bacterial ability to alter the stem cells has important implications for gastrointestinal stem cell biology and H pylori-induced gastric pathology.