Aim To study the difference between endothelial-monocyte and endothelial-neutrophil adhesion. Methods Cell adhesion was measured by testing leukocyte myeloperoxidase activity, the cell adhesion was blocked by monoclonal antibodies to ICAM-1, E-selectin and VCAM-1, the expression of adhesion molecules was measured by ELISA. Results TNF-α (100～1 000 ku/L)increased the adhesion of EC to neutrophils or monocytes concentration-dependently. The increased expression of ICAM-1, E-selectin and VCAM-1 was contributed to TNF-α induced upregulation of leukocyte-endothelial adhesion. The neutrophil-endothelial adhesion was peaked at 6 h after TNF-α stimulation of endothelial, while monocyte-endothelial adhesion was peaked at 24 h. The monoclonal antibodies to ICAM-1 and E-selectin significantly inhibited TNF-α induced endothelial-neutrophil adhesion, nevertheless, the antibody to VCAM-1 had no effect on endothelial-neutrophil adhesion. On the other hand, the antibodies to ICAM-1 or VCAM-1 but not the antibody to E-selectin inhibited TNF-α induced endothelial-monocyte adhesion. Conclusion Neutrophil and monocyte showed different characteristics in adhesion to TNF-α induced endothelial cells.