Objective：To investigate the effects of up-regulation of hepatoma-derived growth factor（HDGF） expression on the biological behavior of glioma cells in vitro. Methods: The effects of overexpression of HDGF on the proliferation of malignant glioma cell line DBTRG were examined by MTS and bromodeoxyuridine（BrdU） incorporation experiments. The effects of HDGF up-regulation on the migration and invasion of DBTRG in vitro were investigated by Wound-healing assay，Transwell assay and Matrigel invasion assay，respectively. Western blot and immunofluorescence were used to determine the expression and subcellular localization of cell adhesion molecules. Results: There was no significant difference in the proliferation rate and the proportion of BrdU positive cells between the overexpressing group and the control group. Compared with the control group，the numbers of migration and invasion cells in the HDGF overexpression group were significantly increased. In addition，overexpression of HDGF increased N-cadherin expression but decreased β-catenin protein levels. Furthermore，HDGF did not affect the nuclear translocation of β-catenin，but promoted its phosphorylation. Conclusion: HDGF enhances migration and invasion of DBTRG glioma cells in vitro by promoting β-catenin phosphorylation.