Aim To examine the effects of monocyte-endothelium interaction on the secretion of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF), and to explore the functions of adhesion molecules in the process. Methods Monocytes and endothelial cells were cultured alone or cocultured to form different cell culture conditions. Pretreatments with monoclonal antibody of human intercelluar adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) and endothelium selectin (E-selectin) were carried out in cocultured groups. The levels of TNF-α, IL-1β and M-CSF in culture medium were determined by enzyme linked immune sandwich assay technique. Results There was no secretion of TNF-α, IL-1β and M-CSF observed in monocytes or endothelial cells culture alone. The secretion of three types of cytokines increased significantly when two types of cells were cocultured (p<0.05). Direct contact between monocytes and endothelial cells played an important mediated role in the process. E-selectin played the principal role in activating the secretion of TNF-α and IL-1β, and ICAM-1 was the most principal adhesion molecule to mediate the secretion of M-CSF. Conclusion The adhesion of monocytes to endothelial cells can activate certain signal transduction, resulting in significantly increased secretion of TNF-α,IL-1β and M-CSF. Adhesion molecules play a pivotal role in the process.