Aim To explore whether or not the function of proinflammatory cytokines, interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in promoting vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation was concerned with the degradation of extracellular matrix (ECM) and the synthesis of adhesion protein. Methods Cultured VSMCs were used as experimental objects, Northern blotting and zymography analysis were used to observe the effects of IL-1β and TNF-α on matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and osteopontin gene expression. Results Both IL-1β and TNF-α could obviously induce the gene expression of MMP-2 and osteopontin, which reached a peak at 12 h after treatment, and was about 3 times and over 10 times respectively, comparing with the control. The results of cell media MMP-2 zymography analysis showed that the activity of MMP-2 was about 2 times and 1.5 times, comparing with those from the control cell media. Conclusion IL-1β and TNF-α could simultaneously promote the migration and proliferation of VSMC by stimulating the gene expression of MMP-2 and osteopontin.