Relationship between stromal cell-derived factor-1/CXC chemokine receptor 4 axis and liver disease

The chemokine stromal-derived factor-1 (SDF-1) and CXC chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4) axis, and its signaling transduction pathway in liver diseases, have been the focus of intense investigation worldwide. It has been demonstrated that the SDF-1/CXCR4 signaling pathway has implications for many liver diseases, including hepatic regeneration, hepatitis, cirrhosis, and liver tumor, but the exact mechanism remain unclear. Furthermore, the interaction of SDF-1 and CXCR4 promotes hepatoma cell growth, enhances tumor migration and invasion, and contributes to tumor metastasis within the tumor microenvironment. In this review, we consider the pathological characteristics and mechanism of the SDF-1/CXCR4 pathway in hepatic regeneration, hepatitis and liver tumors.