Abstract: AIM: To investigate the effect of NF-κB on the induction of EMMPRIN by excessive low iron load in macrophages and foam cells. METHODS: Thp-1 derived macrophages and foam cells were pre-treated with NF-κB inhibitor and then were stimulated with/without desferrioxamine (DFO) for 24 h. EMMPRIN expression was assayed by Western blot. Cells were stimulated with DFO for different time periods and nuclear NF-κB p65 protein levels were then assayed by Western blot. Cells were pre-treated with p38 MAPK inhibitors or RXR ligand and nuclear NF-κB p65 protein levels were assayed again by Western blot. RESULTS: NF-κB inhibitor blocked the induction of EMMPRIN by DFO stimulation, DFO enhanced nuclear NF-κB p65 protein levels in macrophages and foam cells and p38 MAPK inhibitor and RXR ligand significantly blocked DFO upregulation of NF-κB p65. CONCLUSION: NF-κB is involved not only in the excessive low iron load upregulation of EMMPRIN expression, but also in the RXR ligand downregulation of inflammatory factor in macrophages and foam cells.