This study was conducted to examine the effectiveness of a gene transfer of human TGF beta 1 gene into smooth muscle cells and whether the TGF beta 1 can increase elastin expression of smooth muscle cells. With the help of DOTAP, smooth muscle cells were transfected with pMAMneoTGF beta 1. The positive cell clones were selected with G418. The stable transfection and expression of TGF beta 1 in the smooth muscle cells were determined by immunofluorescence analysis. The expression of elastin in the transfected and untransfected cells were determined by in situ hybridization. The adhesion force between smooth muscle cells and matrix was detected by micropipette system. The results showed abundant TGF beta 1 stable expression in smooth muscle cells. TGF beta 1 gene can increase two-three times elastin expression and increase the adhesion between smooth muscle cells and matrix. TGF beta 1 can be used in vascular tissue engineering to increase smooth muscle cells adhesion.