AimTo study the proinflammatory cytokines production and apoptosis of macrophages upon Mycoplasma pneumoniae (M.pneumoniae) lipid-associated membrane proteins (LAMP) stimulation, and evaluate the molecular mechanism of M.pneumoniae to cause atherosclerosis.MethodsThe cultured human macrophages were incubated with various concentrations of M.pneumoniae LAMP preparations.The proinflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 production were detected by ELISA and cell apoptosis by flow cytometry.At the same time, the activation of NF-κB and the effects of pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC), an inhibitor of NF-κB, on M.pneumoniae LAMP-induced macrophages apoptosis were analyzed by Western blot.ResultsM.pneumoniae LAMP could induce high level of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 production and macrophages apoptosis.These effects were highly associated with NF-κB activation of macrophages.PDTC could significantly inhibit the activation of NF-κB and partially reduce M.pneumoniae LAMP-induced macrophages secretion and apoptosis.ConclusionsM.pneumoniae LAMP can induce proinflammatory cytokines secretion and macrophages apoptosis by activating NF-κB, and it may be an important etiological factor for atherosclerosis.