Abstract: AIM To investigate the effect of GDF11 on the progression of foam cell formation and to explore the underlying mechanism. METHODSRAW264.7 cells were treated with oxLDL at indicated concentrations or with 75 μg/ml oxLDL and GDF11 at indicated concentrations overnight. Lipid-laden macrophages were detected by immunofluorescent method. Cellular total protein and RNA were extracted. The effect of oxLDL on GDF11 expression was detected by Western blot and the expressions of GDF11, ABCA1, ABCG1, CD36, IL-1, IL-6 and MMP9 mRNA were examined by real-time PCR. RESULTSOxLDL promoted the formation of foam cells and inhibited the expression of GDF11 (P<0.05). However, the exogenous supply of GDF11 inhibited the inducing effect of oxLDL on foam cell formation (P<0.05). oxLDL induced the expression of CD36, IL-1, IL-6 and MMP9 mRNA expressions and inhibited ABCA1 and ABCG1 mRNA expressions (P<0.05). The exogenous supply of GDF11 could reverse the inducing effect of oxLDL on CD36, IL-1, IL-6 and MMP9 mRNA expressions and the inhibitory effect on ABCA1 and ABCG1 mRNA expressions (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONGDF11 can inhibit the progression of foam cell formation induced by oxLDL possibly through its reverse effect on oxLDL-induced CD36, IL-1, IL-6 and MMP9 mRNA expressions and reduction of ABCA1 and ABCG1 mRNA expressions.