Propionibacterium acnes is potentially implicated as the pathogenic agent responsible for lymphocytic gastritis. It is surmised that the condition is dependent upon the natural killer factor group 2 member D (NKG2D) system, along with the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-15. The activation of these signaling pathways is postulated to potentially promote the progression of gastric cancer. Here, KLRK1 is linked to gastric cancer.