Abstract: Objective To explore the effects of CXCR7 knock-down by CXCR7-shRNA lentiviral vector on the proliferation and
invasion of human hepatoma carcinoma cells in vitro. Methods CXCR7-shRNA lentiviral vector was transfected into
heptatocellular carcinoma HCCLM3 cells. The changes in mRNA and protein expression of CXCR7 in the transfected cells
were investigated using real-time PCR and Western blotting, respectively, and MTT assay was employed to assess the cell
proliferation changes. In vitro adhesion assay and transwell chamber test were used to observe the adhesion and invasiveness
of HCCLM3 cells, respectively. Results Transfection of HCCLM3 cells with CXCR7-shRNA lentiviral vector resulted in a
significantly decreased expression of CXCR7 at both mRNA and protein levels (P<0.01) and obvious suppression of the cell
proliferative activity (P<0.05). CXCR7-shRNA also significantly suppressed the invasiveness and adhesion of HCCLM3 cells (P<
0.01). Conclusion CXCR7 knock-down can significantly inhibit the proliferation and invasiveness of human hepatoma
carcinoma cells in vitro, suggesting the value of CXCR7 as a potential target for hepatoma carcinoma therapy.