Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) phenotype switching plays an essential role in the pathogenesis of various vascular diseases. The present study aims to investigate the role of receptor-interacting protein kinases 1(RIPK1) in VSMCs phenotypic switching induced by Angiotensin Ⅱ(Ang Ⅱ). Expression of mRNA and protein of RIPK1, markers of VSMCs phenotypic switching and secretion, phosphorylation of the P65 subunit of NF-κB were measured by real-time PCR and Western blot. Meanwhile, EdU incorporation assay and wound scratch assay were performed to determine the cell proliferation and migration respectively. At the same time, Necrostatin-1(Nec-1, an known RIPK1 inhibitor) and RIPK1-specific small interference RNA (siRNA) were used to inhibit the expression of RIPK1. The experimental data demonstrated that the mRNA and protein levels of RIPK1 and P65 phosphorylation were increased significantly in the process of VSMC phenotypic switching induced by Ang II. Moreover, the expression of RIPK1 and P65 phosphorylation were significantly down-regulated in VSMCs pretreated with Nec-1 or trans-fected with RIPK1-siRNA. Furthermore, the proliferation, secretion and migration of VSMCs were also markedly suppressed after inhibition of RIPK1 by Nec-1 or its specific siRNA. The results suggested that RIPK1 might be involved in VSMC phenotypic switching induced by Ang II, which was possibly via up-regulating the NF-κB signaling pathway.