Aim To acquire oligonucleotide aptamers of foam cells derived from macrophages and laying theoretical basis for targeted therapy of atherosclerosis. Methods THP-1 cell was treated with 80 mg/L oxidized low density lipoprotein(ox-LDL) for 72 hours to establish macrophage derived foam cell model.Aptamers acquired from a ssDNA library by complex system evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment(SELEX).Fluorescence microscopy was used to detect the binding specificity of ssDNA library and foam cells.After cloning and sequencing,the primary sequences and second structure of the aptamers were analyzed. Results THP-1 macrophage derived foam cell model was identified successfully by red oil O staining and HPLC.After 18 rounds selection,the ssDNA library did not bind to THP-1 macrophages and vascular smooth cells but bind to foam cells.All aptamers had no conserved motifs,and could be divided into 12 families.The main secondary structures of these aptamers were stem-loops which could be vital in the interaction between aptamers and foam cells. Conclusions We obtained the aptamers of THP-1 macrophage derived foam cells successfully by complex SELEX.