Aim To investigate the tumor necrosis factor-α converting enzyme (TACE) mRNA expression in angiotensinⅡ-stimulated THP-1 macrophages to explore the relationship and their potential roles in atherosclerosis. Methods Cultured THP-1 was differentiated with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA,40 nmol/L) for 24 hours to macrophages, then stimulated with AngⅡ in different concentration (10-10～10-7 mol/L) and for different time (0, 6, 12, 24 h and 48 h). RT-PCR was used to measure the expression of TACE mRNA. Results TACE mRNA was expressed in THP-1 after differentiated to macrophages by PMA. AngⅡ(10-10～10-7 mol/L) increased TACE mRNA expression in a dose dependent way (p<0.01 vs control; p<0.05 vs 10-7 mol/L). TACE mRNA was increased at 6 hours and with the highest level at 24 hours, then decreased (p<0.01 vs control; p<0.05 vs 24 h). Conclusions THP-1 macrophages express TACE. AngⅡsignificantly upregulates TACE expression in a dose-and-time dependent way. AngⅡand TACE may play an important role in macrophage-mediated vascular inflammation and atherosclerosis progression.