EGFR and infection: After infection, epidermal growth factor receptors (EGFRs) of gastric epithelial cells are abnormally phosphorylated through CagA oncoprotein encoding by H.pylori or heparin from the host.266,267 EGFR pathway activation leads to the high expression of NF-κB and IL-1β, thus DNA damage and autophagy of gastric epithelial cells arising which is considered as early steps for gastric carcinogenesis.266,268,269 Meanwhile, the host immune defense like antimicrobial β-defensins also switches on following the activation of EGFR.270,271