Objective: To examine whether lipoxin A4 (LXA4) has an inhibitory effect on tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)-induced DNA synthesis of glomerular mesangial cells of rat, and explore the molecular mechanisms of LXA4 action. Methods: Glomerular mesangial cells of rat were cultured and preincubated with LXA4 at different concentrations, and then treated with TNF-α( 10 ng/ml). DNA synthesis was assessed by the incorporation of [3H]-thymidine in mesangial cells. Expression of cyclin E protein was determined by Western blotting analysis. Activities of signal transducers and activators of transcription-3 (STAT3) were analyzed by electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA). Results: TNF-α-stimulated DNA synthesis of mesangial cells, upregulation of cyclin E protein and STAT3 activities were inhibited by LXA4 in a dose-dependent manner. Conclusion: TNF-α-induced DNA synthesis of mesangial cells can be inhibited by TXA4probably through the mechanism of Jak1/STAT3 pathway-dependent signal transduction.