Aim To investigate the influence of NO on expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1(ICAM-1) in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) and adhesion between monocyte and VSMC induced by TNF-α. Methods Cell adhesion, flow cytometry and RT-PCR were applied to study effects of nitroprusside(SNP) and NO, on adhesion between monocyte and VSMC and expression of ICAM-1 gene. Results Adhesion between monocyte and VSMC was significantly inhibited by SNP. Expression of ICAM-1 gene in VSMC induced by TNF-α was depressed after VSMC was treated with SNP, and level of ICAM-1 on VSMC was reduced. Conclusions It is one of the mechanisms of anti-atherosclerosis by NO that expression of ICAM-1 gene in VSMC and adhesion between monocyte and VSMC induced by TNF-α could be inhibited by NO.