Pro-inflammatory properties and neutrophil activation by Helicobacter pylori urease

► Recombinant Helicobacter pylori (rHPU) urease induces paw edema with neutrophil infiltration. ► rHPU is chemotactic to human neutrophils independently of its enzyme activity. ► rHPU promotes ROS release and inhibits apoptosis of human neutrophils. ► Lipoxygenase metabolite(s) mediate the pro-inflammatory effects of rHPU.