Furthermore, silencing CX3CR1 in A549 cells, which is the only receptor of CX3CL1, significantly reduced VBMEC-induced cell invasion (P < 0.01), indicating CX3CL1/CX3CR1 functionally mediated VBMEC's effect on NSCLC cell invasion. The gene discussed is CX3CR1; the disease is non-small cell lung carcinoma.