CXCL12 and infection: Considering that CXCL12 is the ligand that interacts with CXCR4 and CXCR7, these findings suggested that during a HP infection, CXCL12 regulates the homing B cell lymphocytes to gastric mucosa, and further promotes the abnormal growth of B lymphocytes through CXCL12/CXCR4 or CXCL12/CXCR7 signaling.