Objective:To investigate the expression of chemokine receptor CXCR4 in hepatocellular carcinoma tissues,hepatocellular carcinoma cell line-MHCC97,human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and the ascites level of CXCL12,ligand of CXCR4,so as to lay a foundation for studying the role of CXCR4 in the metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma.Methods: The expression of CXCR4 mRNA and protein was examined by RT-PCR and Western blotting in 21 specimens of hepatocellular carcinoma tissues,MHCC97 cells,HUVECs,and 17 specimens of normal hepatic tissues.Meanwhile,the levels of CXCL12 in ascitic fluids were assayed by ELISA in 18 hepatic cancer patients.Results: The relative expression values of CXCR4 mRNA in hepatocellular carcinoma tissues,MHCC97 cells,and HVECs were 2.21±1.09,2.14±1.15 and 1.72±1.20, respectively; and those of CXCR4 protein were 1.51±0.12,1.76±0.25, and 1.89±0.24,respectively; and those of CXCR4 protein were 1.51±0.12,1.76±0.25,and 1.89±0.24,respectively.CXCR4 mRNA and protein were not detected in normal hepatic tissues.ELISA results showed that the 18 hepatocellular carcinoma samples had a CXCL12 concentration range of 783-8 364 pg/ml (median value 6 871 pg/ml ) in ascitic fluids.Conclusion: CXCR4 is highly expressed in the hepatocellular carcinoma tissues and cells,which is not associated with the clinical staging of the cancer.The elevated CXCL12 level in the ascitic fluid of cancer patients indicate that CXCR4 may play an important role in the metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma.