Migration of human umbilical cord blood mesenchymal stem cells mediated by stromal cell-derived factor-1/CXCR4 axis via Akt, ERK, and p38 signal transduction pathways

► Akt, ERK, and p38 pathways are involved in SDF-1-induced hUCB-MSC migration. ► SDF-1 activates Akt, ERK, and p38 signal transduction pathways in hUCB-MSCs. ► Knockdown of Akt, ERK, and p38 inhibits SDF-1-induced migration of hUCB-MSCs. ► PI3K, ERK, and p38 inhibitors reduce SDF-1-induced actinpolymerization in hUCB-MSCs.