Consistent with previous studies (16,31), the present data showed that U0126 abrogates CD24-induced wound-healing and invasion in the CD24+ and CD24− cells (although this inhibition was less apparent in the CD24− cells), indicating that ERK1/2 activation is markedly correlated with CD24 expression in cholangiocarcinoma. This evidence concerns the gene MAPK3 and cholangiocarcinoma.