Naturally Occurring Regulatory T cells (CD4⁺, CD25^high, FOXP3⁺) in the Antrum and Cardia are Associated with Higher <i>H. pylori</i> Colonization and Increased Gene Expression of TGF‐β1

Abstract

This study demonstrates that H. pylori-induced gastritis is associated with a recruitment of naturally occurring FOXP3(+) Treg cells that correlates with the degree of bacterial colonization and mucosal TGF-beta1 expression. Together, these data support the hypothesis that naturally FOXP3(+) Treg cells play a role in the lifelong persistence of H. pylori infection in humans.