Aim To investigate the influence of atorvastatin on the expression of phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome （PTEN） involved in human CD4＋T lymphocytes in vitro. Methods Human CD4＋T cells obtained from healthy individuals were activated with phytohemagglutinin （PHA） and treated with atorvastatin. The levels of the inflammatory cytokines TNF-α， IL-6 and IL-10 were tested by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. Real-time fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction （RFQ-PCR） was used to measure the expression of PTEN mRNA in CD4＋T cells, which were assessed at the protein level by Western blot as well. Results Compared to the blank group, the stimulation of PHA obviously increased the mRNA and protein expression of PTEN and those serum TNF-α and IL-6 secretion （P<0.05）, while the level of IL-10 was different between two groups （P>0.05）. Compared with those of PHA stimulation group, different concentration atorvastatin significantly increased the protein level of PTEN expression and serum IL-10 secretion （P<0.05）, while serum TNF-α and IL-6 production were reduced （P<0.05）. Serum TNF-α and IL-6 secretion were negatively related to the expression of PTEN through the linear related analysis （r＝－0.837 and r＝－0.816, P<0.01）, and IL-10 positive relation with the expression of PTEN （r＝0.753, P<0.05）. Conclusion The anti-inflammatory effects of atorvastatin are mediated by regulating the expression of PTEN in CD4＋T cells.