Abstract-The role of vascular cells during inflammation is critical and is of particular importance in inflammatorydiseases, including atherosclerosis, ischemia/reperfusion, and septic shock. Research in vascular biology has progressed remarkably in the last decade, resulting in a better understanding of the vascular cell responses to inflammatory stimuli. Most of the vascular inflammatory responses are mediated through the IB/nuclear factor-B system. Much recent work shows that vascular inflammation can be limited by anti-inflammatory counteregulatory mechanisms that maintain the integrity and homeostasis of the vascular wall. The anti-inflammatory mechanisms in the vascular wall involve anti-inflammatory external signals and intracellular mediators. The anti-inflammatory external signals include the anti-inflammatory cytokines, transforming growth factor-, interleukin-10 and interleukin-1 receptor antagonist, HDL, as well as some angiogenic and growth factors. Physiological laminar shear stress is of particular importance in protecting endothelial cells against inflammatory activation. Its effects are partly mediated through NO production. Finally, endogenous cytoprotective genes or nuclear receptors, such as the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors, can be expressed by vascular cells in response to proinflammatory stimuli to limit the inflammatory process and the injury. nflammation is a basic pathological mechanism that underlies a variety of diseases. The inflammatory reaction involves the complex interactions between inflammatory cells (neutrophils, lymphocytes, and monocytes/macrophages) and vascular cells (endothelial cells [ECs] and smooth muscle cells [SMCs]). The role of vascular cells during the inflammatory process is critical. Multiple cytokines and growth factors are present at sites of inflammation, and each of these can potentially influence the nature of the inflammatory response. ECs and SMCs must integrate the signals generated by these multiple factors to effectively regulate the immunoinflammatory response through the expression of adhesion molecules, cytokines, chemokines, matrix metalloproteinases, and growth factors. Research in vascular biology has progressed remarkably in the last decade, resulting in a better understanding of the vascular cell responses to inflammatory stimuli and resulting in the identification of major intracellular inflammatory signaling pathways, particularly the IB/nuclear factor-B (NF-B) system. Much recent work shows that vascular inflammation can be limited by anti-inflammatory counteregulatory mechanisms that maintain the integrity and homeostasis of the vascular wall. This might be of particular importance in inflammatory diseases, such as atherosclerosis, septic shock, or ischemia/reperfusion. The purpose of the present review is to describe recent advances in the understanding of the anti-inflammatory mechanisms in vascular cells, focusing on anti-inflammatory external signals and intracellular mediators Original