Aim To investigate the expression of platelet derived growth factor induced nuclear receptor Nur77 mechanism and relationship with proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cell. Methods Vascular smooth muscle cells were isolated and cultured. The expression of nuclear receptor Nur77,extracellular regulated protein kinases,proliferating cell nuclear antigen induced by platelet derived growth factor were checked after incubation with PD98059,atorvastatin,Nur77 siRNA respectively. Results Platelet derived growth factor induced the expression of nuclear receptor Nur77 in vascular smooth muscle cell through ERK-MAPK signal pathway. Atorvastatin affected the expression of nuclear receptor Nur77 induced by platelet derived growth factor. Vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation was attenuated in nuclear receptor Nur77-deficient cells. Conclusion Nuclear receptor Nur77 regulated vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation induced by platelet derived growth factor. Atorvastatin decreased vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation by affecting the expression of nuclear receptor Nur77. This may be a new mechanism by which statins affected nuclear factor kappa B activity by regulating the nuclear receptor Nur77 expression. Down-regulation of nuclear receptor Nur77 suggests a novel therapy strategy for atherogenesis based on suppression of vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation.