Angiotensin II (AII) is recognized as being an important factor in the pathogenesis of hypertension and atherosclerosis. Monocyte binding to affected endothelial cells is one of the earliest features of atherosclerosis. However, the effect of AII on monocyte binding has not been fully studied. Treatment of human aortic endothelial cells (HAEC) and rabbit aortic endothelial cells (RAEC) for 18 hours with AII induced the adhesion of monocytes but not neutrophils to these cells. This induction was reduced by inhibitors of AII receptors (Type I and Type II). Angiotensin II-induced monocyte binding was not associated with induction of E-selectin, vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), or intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1). These results suggest that AII can accelerate the rate of atherosclerosis by increasing monocyte binding to the endothelium.