Objective      To study the role of CXCR4 in epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in esophageal carcinoma and the mechanism of CXCR4 participating in the invasion and metastasis of esophageal carcinoma.       Methods      siRNA targeting CXCR4 was chemically synthesized and was transfected into esophageal carcinoma EC9706 cells. EC9706 cells transfected with negative siRNA or Lipofectamine 2000 and va

cant cells were used as controls. CXCR4 mRNA and protein levels were evaluated by semi-quantitative RT-PCR and Western blotting after 24

48 and 72 h. Invasion and metastasis ability and proliferation ability were detected by Boyden chamber assay

wound-healing assay and MTT assay. The mRNA and protein levels of E-cadherin and vimentin in EC9706 cells transfected with CXCR4 siRNA were tested by semi-quantitative RT-PCR and Western blotting.       Results      siRNA targeting CXCR4 could suppress the expression of CXCR4 in EC9706 cells efficiently

as compared to that in control groups (

P

0.01)

in a time-dependent manner (

P

0.05). The invasion and metastasis ability and proliferation ability of EC9706 cells transfected with CXCR4 siRNA were decreased greatly as compared to those in control groups (

P

0.05). With the decrease of CXCR4 expression

the expression of E-cadherin was increased while the expression of vimentin was decreased (

P

0.05).       Conclusion      CXCR4 participates in the invasion and metastasis of esophageal carcinoma through EMT.