AIM: To extend the knowledge of the dynamic interaction between Helicobacter pylori ( H. pylori) and host mucosa. METHODS: A time-series cDNA microarray was performed in order to detect the temporal gene expression profiles of human gastric epithelial adenocarcinoma cells infected with H. pylori. Six time points were selected to observe the changes in the model. A differential expression profile at each time point was obtained by comparing the microarray signal value with that of 0 h. Real-time polymerase chain reaction was subsequently performed to evaluate the data quality. RESULTS: We found a diversity of gene expression patterns at different time points and identified a group of genes whose expression levels were significantly correlated with several important immune response and tumor related pathways. CONCLUSION: Early infection may trigger some important pathways and may impact the outcome of the infection.