Abstract: Objective To investigate the effect of hypoxia on the degradation of plasma membrane ATP binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1) and its calpain-related mechanism. Methods qRT-PCR was used to detect ABCA1 mRNA level in RAW264.7 cells stimulated by liver X receptor agonist TO-901317 for 24 h. Plasma membrane protein was extracted by the biotin labeling method of surface proteins, and membrane ABCA1 protein level was determined by Western blot. Western blot was applied to detect the plasma membrane ABCA1 protein level from TO-901317-treated RAW264.7 cells after 12-h hypoxia (1% O2) treatment in the presence or absence of Cycloheximide. Furthermore, the calpain activity in the hypoxic cells was assayed by the method of Suc-LLVY-aminoluciferin. Finally, plasma membrane ABCA1 protein and calpain activity were measured in the RAW264.7 cells after intervention with calpain inhibitor ALLN. Results LXR agonist TO-901317 up-regulated ABCA1 mRNA and membrane protein levels. Hypoxia reduced plasma membrane ABCA1 protein in the RAW264.7 cells and increased the calpain activity in the absence or presence of Cycloheximide. Calpain inhibitor ALLN, in part, reversed the decrease of plasma membrane ABCA1 induced by hypoxia. Conclusions Hypoxia might accelerate the degradation of plasma membrane ABCA1 via enhancement of calpain activity.