Aim Macrophage apoptosis plays an important role in development of atherosclerotic plaques, necrotic lesions, plaque instability and acute vascular events, so the study of the regulation of Daxx macrophage apoptosis is favorable to reveal new drug targets, providing a theoretical basis for the occurrence of atherosclerosis. Methods The eukaryotic vector of Daxx and pCDNA3.1 were constructed to be stably transfected into RAW264.7 cells, the mRNA and protein expressions of Daxx were used by RT- PCR and Western blot respectively. The intracellular lipid droplets and lipid levels was assayed by enzyme fluorescent analysis. The growth inhibition and apoptotic effect of RAW264.7 cells induced by Chol∶MβCD were analyzed by MTT and flow cytometric analysis. The protein expressions of caspase3 was assayed by western blotting. Results RT-PCR and Western blot analysis showed that the expression of Daxx was significantly increased in gene-transfected RAW264.7 cells. Chol∶MβCD induced cholesterol accumulation and apoptosis in RAW264.7 cells was increased by Daxx. Caspase3 protein levels were significantly elevated in Daxx transfected cells. Conclusion Daxx overexpression could increase Chol∶MβCD induced apoptosis in macrophages.