CASP3 and infection: Apoptosis of gastric epithelial cells was significantly increased by HpSS1 infection (Figure 5F), accompanied by down-regulation of E-cadherin and pro-caspase-3 expression (Figure 5E, 5G), up-regulation of cleaved-caspase-3 expression (Figure 5H), and alteration of cellular morphology (Figure 5I).