【Objective】To investigate the effect of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) on anti-tuberculosis immune response of macrophage. 【Methods】To establish the relationship between VEGF and tuberculosis (TB)

real-time PCR was used to determine the expression levels of VEGF in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) isolated from TB patients vs healthy individuals. In vitro

phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) was applied to induce THP-1 cells to differentiate into macrophages

and then VEGF mRNA levels were examined by PCR after Bacilil Calmette Guerin (BCG) challenge. To further determine whether VEGF plays a role in TB

THP-1-differentiated macrophages were infected with BCG in the absence or presence of VEGF (100 ng/mL). Expression levels of proinflammatory cytokines including TNF-α

IL-6

IFN-γ

MIP-2 were examined by Real-time PCR

and NO production was measured by Griess Reaction System. 【Results】 VEGF expression levels were significantly up-regulated in PBMC from TB patients vs healthy individuals. Expression of VEGF was also increased in THP-1-differentiated macrophages challenged by BCG. Interestingly

treatment of VEGF significantly enhanced the induction of TNF-α

IL-6

IFN-γ

MIP-2

as well as the nitric oxide (NO) production in BCG-challenged macrophages. 【Conclusion】 VEGF were up-regulated in both PBMC isolated from TB patients and macrophages challenged by BCG

and promotes production of proinflammatory cytokines and NO

which are required in the antimicrobial immunity

suggesting that VEGF might be a promising therapeutic target for TB.