Aim To study the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2 （MMP-2） gene in vascular smooth muscle cells （VSMC） induced by platelet-derived growth factor BB （PDGF-BB） and the dependent signaling pathway. Methods VSMC isolated from rats were treated with PDGF-BB at different concentration and durations. The expression of MMP-2 mRNA was detected by Real-time RT-PCR. The p38 activity was detected by Western blot. Actinomycin D, SB202190 were used to investigate underlying mechanisms. Cell migration was tested by scratch. Results MMP-2 mRNA expression was up-regulated by PDGF-BB for 1 h at 10 μg/L～50 μg/L, and maximally induced at 20 μg/L. The time of MMP-2 mRNA expression maximally occurred 30 min after PDGF-BB exposure. Incubation of VSMC with PDGF-BB resulted in a significant activation of p38. VSMC pretreated with actinomycin D showed a significant decrease of MMP-2 mRNA expression. SB202190 resulted in inactivation of p38, meanwhile, significantly suppressed of MMP-2 mRNA expression on PDGF-BB treatment. Conclusion PDGF-BB can induce expression of MMP-2 gene and cell migration in VSMC, which can be regulated by p38 signaling pathway. This process may play a critical role in development of vascular remodeling.