Background This study was designed to investigate changes in mRNA levels of transforming growth factor-β(TGF-β), collagen Ⅰ, and collagen Ⅲ in autogenous vein grafts. Methods Twenty-four New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into 4 groups with 6 rabbits each. The extal jugular veins of the New Zealand rabbits were harvested and grafted into the ipsilateral carotid artery. All rabbits were fed with a standard diet. After the operation, the rabbits were sacrificed at 1, 2, 3, or 4 weeks. TGF-β, collagen Ⅰ, and collagen Ⅲ mRNA levels in the venous grafts were measured by semiquantitative methods at every time point. The contralateral extal jugular veins were also harvested and analyzed as controls. Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase was used as an intal standard to normalize all samples for potential variations in mRNA content. In order to observe the expression of TGF-β protein, immunohistochemical SABC methods were used. Results One week postoperation, the mRNA level of TGF-β was upregulated to 1.73±0.19 in the vein graft and 1.21±0.16 in the control vein (P＜0.01). High mRNA levels were maintained until week 4 postoperation. The mRNA levels of collagen Ⅰ and collagen Ⅲ were also significantly increased to 2.18±0.21 versus 1.12±0.24 and 1.08±0.13 versus 0.83±0.12, respectively (P＜0.05). Immunohistochemical staining revealed a higher density of TGF-β expression in the vein grafts.Conclusions An uninterrupted increase in mRNA levels of TGF-β, collagen Ⅰ, and collagen Ⅲ is observed in autogenous vein grafts. This increase may be the major cause of intimal hyperplasia, sclerosis, and even graft failure.