Frequency of MECA-79+, HECA-452+, and NCC-ST-439+ HEV-like vessels in chronic H. pylori gastritis (left), gastric MALT lymphoma (middle), and its accompanied reactive component (right). In chronic H. pylori gastritis, the percentage of MECA-79+ vessels is greater than that of HECA-452+ and NCC-ST-439+ vessels, with high statistical significance (p < 0.001). Conversely, in gastric MALT lymphoma, the percentages of MECA-79+, HECA-452+, and NCC-ST-439+ vessels do not differ significantly. The percentage of HECA-452+ and NCC-ST-439+ but not MECA-79+ vessels in gastric MALT lymphoma is greater than that seen in chronic H. pylori gastritis, with statistical significance. In addition, the percentages of MECA-79+, HECA-452+, and NCC-ST-439+ vessels in accompanied reactive component of gastric MALT lymphoma shows similar patterns seen in chronic H. pylori gastritis. Data are presented as means ± SEM (n = 31 in chronic H. pylori gastritis, n = 22 in gastric MALT lymphoma, n = 3 in accompanied reactive component of gastric MALT lymphoma). ***, p < 0.001; **, p < 0.01.