BNIP3 and infection: Increased numbers and densities of LC3 punctate staining were associated with replicating H. pylori at 6 h p.i., but gradually decreased at 24 h p.i. On Western blot analysis, the signaling molecules such as LC3 II conversion, BNIP3 formation, but not in Beclin1, were also found to increase after infection compared to uninfected cells (Fig. 2B).