Aim To investigate interleukin-10(IL-10)affecting chemokine mRNA expression in monocyte-macrophage derived foam cells and its mechanism.Methods Macrophage was induced by phogrbol myristate acetate(PMA)forming THP-1 cell,and then the cells were further stimulated by oxidized low density lipoprotein with or without IL-10.The influence by IL-10 on chemokine mRNA expression was observed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR)and the nuclear factor-κB(NF-κB)activation was observed by electrophoretic mobility shift assay(EMSA).Results IL-10 could selectively inhibit monocyte chemoattractant protein-1(MCP-1)and macrophage inflammatory protein-5(MIP-5)mRNA expression.The effects were in dose-dependent fashion.However there was no effect on IL-8 mRNA expression.IL-10 could also significantly inhibit ox-LDL induced NF-κB activation.Conclusions The inhibition on NF-κB activation induced by IL-10 is responsible for decreasing MCP-1 and MIP-5 mRNA expression.The reduction of chemokine expression at the site of atherosclerotic plaque might cut down inflammatory cells recruitment and reduce the plaque further formation.