Objective To investigate the effects of dust mite allergen Derp1 on the expressions of IL-6 and IL-8 in primary rat bronchial epithelial cells. Methods The primary rat bronchial epithelial cells were divided into a control group and three experimental groups. In the experimental groups, the cells were cultured with 3 different concentrations of Derp1 ( 1, 5, 10 μg/mL) for 3 different time ( 4, 8, 24 h) .Inverted microscope was employed to observe the morphological changes of bronchial epithelial cells and intercellular space, and supernatants were assayed for IL-6 and IL-8 with ELISA. Results Complete flattening of single cells layer was observed in the control group. In the experimental groups, the cells treated with Derp1 allergen showed no obvious changes in the cell morphology and intercellular space. However,There was a significant change in the level of cytokines production compared with the control group. The levels of IL-6 and IL-8 began to rise at 4 h, and reach to high level at 8 h, especially in the 5 and 10 μg/mL groups ( P lt;0. 01) . In the 24h group, the concentrations further increased but not reach statistical difference compared with 8h group ( P gt; 0. 05) . Conclusions The Derp1 allergen can stimulate the release of inflammatory cytokines such as IL-6 and IL-8 fromthe rat trachea- bronchia epithelial cells. It is suggested that dust mite allergen -induced cytokines may play important roles in the pathogenesis of allergic asthma.