In the current study, we provided direct evidence that CCL3 mediates NEC-related intestinal injury by exacerbating intestinal epithelial cell apoptosis through the CCL3-CCR4- ERK1/2-NF-κB-BAX/BCL-2 pathway, which helps us to further reveal the pathogenic mechanisms of NEC. The gene discussed is MAPK3; the disease is necrotizing enterocolitis.