Objective To research the gene expression of transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) in zone Ⅱ flexor tendon wound healing of rabbit. Methods Sixty New Zealand white rabbits forepaws(left side) underwent complete transection and the middle digit flexor digitorum profundus tendon in zone Ⅱ were repairedby Kessler methods as the experimental group. The normal right forepaws served as the control group. The tendons and tendon sheaths were harvested at 1, 7, 14, 21, 28and 56 days after repair(n=10). The expression patterns ofTGF-β1 wereanalyzed by in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry staining methods. Results The in situ hybridization examination revealed thatTGF-β1 mRNA expression upregulated at 1 day, reached the peak levels at 1421 days and remained high levels up to 56 days in the experimental group. The expression ofTGF-β1 mRNA in control group was lowerthan that in the experimental group, showing statistically significant difference (Plt;0.05). The results of immunohistochemical staining was similar to that of in situ hybridization. Conclusion The normal tendon and tendon sheath cells are capable ofTGF-β1 production. The cytokine is activated in tendon wound condition. The upregulation of this cytokine in both tendon and tendon sheath cells are coincidence with both extrinsic and intrinsic mechanisms for tendonrepair.