The rhOPN-induced CXCR4 expression is dependent on CD44 and integrin receptors, and is regulated by the PI-3K/Akt and JNK pathways (Figures 3 and 4) in the two hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines (HepG2 and SMMC7721) tested. This evidence concerns the gene CXCR4 and hepatocellular carcinoma.