Objective To study the role of miR-216a in regulating the characteristics of macrophages derived from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Methods Human PBMCs were isolated and cultured. The polarization model of M1 and M2 macrophages were established in vitro, and flow cytometry and real-time quantitative PCR were used to detect the cell surface markers of macrophage. Furthermore, miR-216a mimics were transfected into M2 macrophages, and the surface markers of M2 macrophage and inflammatory factors were examined. Results After overexpression of miR-216a, the expression of surface marker CD163 of M2 macrophage was significantly increased, the expressions of inflammatory cytokines TNFα and IL-1β were decreased, and the expressions of anti-inflammatory cytokines TGF-β and IL-10 were increased(P＜0.05). Conclusions miR-216a could promote the polarization of human PBMCs-derived macrophages into M2 phenotype and inhibit the expressions of pro-inflammatory cytokines.