Further mechanistic studies revealed that this process is associated with the CCL3-CCR4-ERK1/2-NF-κB-BAX/BCL-2 signalling pathway, and blocking either CCL3, CCR4, or NF-κB with neutralizing antibodies or inhibitors can reverse CCL3-mediated intestinal epithelial apoptosis and NEC-related intestinal injury, which provides a new approach for immunotherapy of NEC. Here, MAPK3 is linked to necrotizing enterocolitis.