VBMECs promoted NSCLC cell aggressive capacity via CX3CL1/CX3CR1-dependent activation of the PI3K/AKT pathway while NSCLC cells in turn promoted VBMEC CX3CL1 synthesis through the NF-κB pathway and enhanced CX3CL1 release via the MAPK14/ADMA17 pathway, which created a potent positive feedback loop. The gene discussed is AKT1; the disease is non-small cell lung carcinoma.